LEADING luggage manufacturer Samsonite will open at The Boulevard on Monday, creating five jobs at the Banbridge shopping destination.
It will be the first of its kind to open in Northern Ireland, as well as the third new store to open this year at The Boulevard (the others were Radley and Suit Direct).
It will join 50 other stores currently on-site, including Jack Wills, Kurt Geiger, Guess, Skechers and adidas.
The new Samsonite outlet will offer stylish, hard-wearing and practical luggage solutions for people travelling for business or leisure, city breaks or long haul, holidays or day-to-day.
Chris Nelmes, centre manager at The Boulevard, said: “Despite an uncertain marketplace, we are going from strength to strength and experienced a 16 per cent growth rate in 2018. We’ve had an excellent start to 2019 with three store openings. and our aim is to continue to provide a first-class shopping experience.
“This new store opening is a timely addition for shoppers, particularly as we approach the summer months and our customers begin their holiday preparations. And we look forward to announcing continued growth and investment at The Boulevard throughout 2019.”
Carl Skelton of Samsonite Ireland said: “This store is our first in Northern Ireland and it’s always exciting to expand into new destinations. We look forward to joining the retail mix at The Boulevard and offering shoppers a practical and stylish product.”
Fiona Rice, senior asset manager of Boulevard owners Lotus Property, added: “The arrival of another world-leading brand to The Boulevard is a testament to the continued success of the scheme since the rebrand last year.
“Since last March, footfall has increased by 17 per cent, resulting in a 20 per cent increase in annual turnover, which allows us to continually attract new high-end retailers to the centre.”
