Supermarket with 138 stores closing for TWO days over Xmas – some for three

DUNNES Stores shoppers will need to plan ahead this Christmas as over 50 locations across Ireland are set to close for three days during the festive season.

The supermarket giant, which operates 138 stores nationwide, has confirmed all its outlets will shut this Christmas.

The Irish supermarket chain will give staff a well-earned break on December 25 and 26 as stores nationwide shut their doors.

However, shoppers in certain areas will have to wait until January 2 to pick up their groceries and essentials.

A total of 50 locations across Ireland and Northern Ireland will be closed for three days – including Christmas Day, St Stephen’s Day, and New Year’s Day.

Stores affected include major hubs in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Belfast, and other towns across the country.

Among the Dublin closures are Henry Street, Ilac Centre, Stephen’s Green, and Swords Rathbeale.

In Cork, shoppers will find Patrick Street, Bishopstown SC, and Merchants Quay among those affected.

Meanwhile, popular stores in Belfast, including Cornmarket, Abbey Centre, and Forestside SC, will also remain shut on January 1.

Locations in Galway (Eyre Square and Edward Square), Derry, Drogheda, and Kilkenny are similarly impacted.

The Bray store will close for a total of four days – on December 24, 25, 29, and January 1 – though its grocery section will open briefly on the 29.

Other areas seeing closures on January 1 include Newry, Portlaoise, Navan, Roscrea, Tralee, and Waterford.

In Northern Ireland, shoppers in Ballymena, Lisburn, and Omagh will have to wait until January 2 to see their local stores reopen.

Stores in smaller towns such as Arklow, Mallow, Monaghan, and Rathdowney are also on the list of those closed for three days.

The move has been praised as a generous gesture towards staff, giving them extra time to relax and enjoy the holiday season.

Dunnes’ Cornelscourt location in Dublin is known for its 24-hour opening in the run-up to Christmas.

This will once again operate extended hours, giving shoppers extra time to prepare for the festive period.

Dunnes is one of the country’s most popular retailers, with 138 stores nationwide offering groceries, fashion, and homewares.

For shoppers looking to stock up ahead of the closures, the supermarket recommends checking individual store hours online.

To find out if your local Dunnes is affected, you can use their store locator for full details.

The closures mean shoppers should plan ahead for the holiday season to avoid disappointment.

And as always, store will resume regular opening hours from January 2.

And Lidl Ireland will pull down the shutters on all of its shops on Christmas Day, St Stephen’s Day and New Year’s Day.

Mr Price will also close for the same three days.

Aldi Ireland’s Christmas and New Year’s hours have also been revealed.

All Aldi stores will reopen on January 2 from 9am to 10pm and normal business hours will resume.

Opening times will vary depending on where you live, so it’s best to check the Aldi store finder tool on its website to avoid a wasted trip.

THE HISTORY OF DUNNES STORES

DUNNES Stores opened its first store on Patrick Street in Cork in 1944 – and it was an instant hit.

Shoppers from all over the city rushed to the store to snap up quality clothing at pre-war prices in Ireland’s first ‘shopping frenzy’.

During the excitement, a window was forced in and the police had to be called to help control the crowds hoping to bag founder Ben Dunne’s ‘Better Value’ bargains.

Dunnes later opened more stores in the 1950s and began to sell groceries in 1960 – starting with apples and oranges.

The retailer said: “Fruit was expensive at the time and Ben Dunne yet again offered Better Value than anyone else in town.

“Over time, our food selection has grown and that spirit of good value has remained strong.

“Now we offer a wide range of carefully-sourced foods from both local Irish suppliers and overseas.”

The retailer’s first Dublin store opened its doors in 1957 on Henry Street and a super store on South Great Georges Street was unveiled in 1960.

They added: “In 1971, our first Northern Irish store opened, and many others soon followed.

“Expansion continued in the 1980s in Spain, and later into Scotland and England.”

Dunnes now has 142 stores and employs 15,000 people.