Big discount chain downsizes in Laois with the closure of Portlaoise shop

An Irish-owned discount retail chain that boomed during the Covid-19 pandemic is closing one of its stores in Portlaoise, with the doors set to shut.

Homesavers was founded in 2018 with its first shop opening in Ballysimon, Limerick. At one point, there were over 50 stores nationwide and over 1,200 team members.

The chain opened three shops in Portlaoise in 2019; one in the Portlaoise Retail Park and two more in the Lismard Business Park. The chain subsequently closed its store beside Mr Price in Lismard, which remains vacant. The business confirmed another closure to the Leinster Express / Laois Live in a statement issued on December 22.

"We can confirm the Homesavers store in Lismard Business Park, Portlaoise, will be closing in January and all employees have been informed and will be redeployed to other Homesavers stores," said a statement.

Staff at the store expect that Christmas week will be the final days of trading, as most of the shelves have been cleared of goods. Customers have been advised that the outlet in the nearby Portlaoise Retail Park will continue to trade.

Homesavers sell a wide variety of products that include homewares, health and beauty, tech, toys, food and more.

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The Irish Times reported in 2022 that the company behind Homesavers almost doubled in size during the early part of the pandemic with revenues hitting nearly €70 million.

Centz Retail Holdings Ltd showed a near fourfold rise in pretax profits to almost €7 million in 2020 at a time when revenues increased by 91.5 per cent to €69.57 million.

Many of the big discount store chains like Homesavers operate in Portlaoise. These include Mr Price, Dealz and Eurosavers.