Cross border shopping blamed on shock Superquinn closure of  its store in Dundalk

The ongoing cross border shopping boom which is badly affecting businessess south of the border has resulted in the closure last week of Superquinn in Dundalk. It’s understood that sixty-seven jobs will be lost as a result of the closure of the County Louth outlet and that most of the job losses will be among full-time staff.

Superquinn chairman Simon Burke said recent developments in cross-border trade had left the company with “no alternative”, while the Mandate trade union said it was “shocked and disappointed” by the announcement.

Superquinn in Dundalk, parallel to the Longwalk Shopping centre, was originally one of the mainstays of the town, a brand new building  with ample car parking facilities.

The company, which has 24 stores throughout Ireland is to engage in a consultation process on how the restructuring plans will affect its workforce of about 3,300 people. In addition to the job losses, Superquinn said it is looking for remaining staff to agree to more flexible working terms and conditions to protect their jobs and secure the future of the chain.      

Mandate Assistant General Secretary Gerry Light said that for workers in Dundalk the reality of cross-border shopping has come home to roost.

He said he was now calling on the public and the Government to stop talking about the potential consequences of cross-border shopping and to start looking at the realities and to act accordingly.

And John Ruddy, Editor of Checkout Publications, said customers were moving towards more value-focused chains. He said the whole grocery industry needed to refocus itself and ask how they are providing value to the consumer.

 “People have to realise that if they shop in Newry, if they shop in the north of Ireland, it does have an impact on jobs. Maybe people are saying that ‘it’s nothing to do with me’, but it all does matter, it all does count at the end of the day”.