UK Electrical multiple Dixons is to open several more Irish stores as part of its plans to have 47 additional outlets by 2000. Dixons has 900 stores in all, across four brands - Dixons, Currys, PC World and The Link. In the Republic, Dixons has stores in Blanchardstown, Liffey Valley, The Square and the Jervis Centre while PC World and Currys each has one outlet in Blanchardstown Retail Park. It is understood they are currently looking for suitable premises in north and south Dublin as well as in Limerick, Cork, Galway and Waterford. Dixons recently moved next door to a larger store in The Square and as a result, its old shop has come on the market through Lambert Smith Hampton. Fintan Tierney says Dixons paid a premium of £85,000 for their new shop and will be expecting somewhat similar key money for the 1,900 sq ft unit which is rented at £89,000.

Meanwhile, Dixons has now set up a separate property company within the group "to anticipate and explore new group development opportunities".