Irish retailer Eason has bought Dubray Books, an independent bookstore with eight locations throughout Ireland, the Bookseller reported. Dubray Books will remain a separate brand within Eason's corporate structure, and Maria Dickenson, Dubray's managing director, will join Eason's executive team.
"This acquisition will be positive for the Irish book trade, ensuring that Irish publishing can continue to flourish with the support of local Irish-owned booksellers with wide customer appeal like Eason and the specialist credentials of Dubray," Dickenson said. "Our new common ownership will strengthen our ability to continue supporting and promoting local talent while continuing to meet the needs of our existing loyal customers."
Dubray Books employs 90 people across its eight locations and has annual sales of more than €9 million (about $9.8 million). Looking ahead, Eason may open more Dubray Books locations in places where there is a greater demand for a specialty bookshop.
"As a specialist book retailer, Dubray reaches a different customer audience to Eason and the brand will therefore complement the wider Eason offering," said Eason CEO Liam Hanly. "We are very excited by the potential to grow the Dubray business in conjunction with the continued development of the existing Eason retail offering in the coming years."