Mango’s sales operation in Ireland will shortly be confined to the Arnotts concession following a decision to close Mango shops in Dundrum and Swords.
In late 1999, when businessman Hugh McGivern first offered the developer Paddy Kelly and his family the opportunity to acquire a stake in the Irish operations of the popular Spanish fashion chain Mango, it must have seemed a simple way to cash in on the roaring rag trade. But more than €6.5 million later the Kellys have little to show for their investment.
After years of poor sales results and soaring overheads the six-store franchise operation has collapsed leaving the family’s first foray into the fashion world in tatters. It was supposed to have been the perfect marriage: the Kellys would use their renowned property expertise to roll-out an established brand whose poster girls have included Penelope Cruz, Claudia Schiffer and Lizzie Jagger.
Photo: Eric Luke.
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