BuyLo jobs boost for Shannon

TWELVE full-time jobs will be created in Shannon and the town will have a new major retailer when emerging discount retailer, BuyLo, opens its doors at SkyCourt on March 31.

BuyLo is a franchise model owned by the Barry group, one of the country’s top wholesale distribution companies. It offers discount goods and has entered a section of the marked dominated by the likes of Aldi and Lidl.
The first BuyLo store opened in 2009 and when the Shannon outlet opens, there will be six around the country. The Shannon BuyLo outlet will fill the void left by the closing of the Tesco store at SkyCourt just over two years ago.
SkyCourt manager Pat Kelly said the arrival of BuyLo is very good news for the centre. “They are an excellent replacement for Tesco. In the current economic climate, people are very conscious so it is an ideal store to have opening.”
Shoppers will have access to BuyLo from the shopping mall beside McLoughney’s Newsagents. There is also an entrance at the rear of the building, where there are 25 parking spaces.
Mr Kelly said he expects the arrival of BuyLo will bring shoppers from outside Shannon. “Retail is suffering all over the country, there’s no point in saying it isn’t. People are very price conscious and this is exactly what people want. I really think it will be a huge boost for the centre and, hopefully, it will bring a lot more people into Shannon. It is likely to attract people in Ennis and Limerick because there is no BuyLo store in either of them so far.”
Jim Barry, managing director of BuyLo,  said he is very happy with the Shannon location. “This is an exciting development for Shannon. BuyLo is a successful and proven retail concept and the potential for the new Shannon store is fantastic, particularly given its central location at the SkyCourt Shopping Centre right in the middle of town.”
In a statement released by the company, its Irish credentials were emphasised. “BuyLo is Ireland’s answer to other discounters in the market, offering an Irish solution to discount retailing, with well-known brands of food, hardware and household items selling at significantly discounted prices.”
Local councillor Patricia McCarthy said she was pleased to hear some good news for local business. “It’s a great boost at a time when it’s badly needed. It should bring more business into the centre and give more variety. It brings choice back and it should attract people from outside Shannon,” she concluded.