No changes to Dubray as Eason acquires the brand
EASON has completed the acquisition of Dubray Books, with no changes to be made to the shops on the ground.
Founded by Helen Clear in Bray in 1973, the business was subsequently acquired by her daughter Gemma and her late husband, Kevin Barry, in 1988.
Dubray has been owned by the Barry family ever since and has stores in Bray, Dublin and Galway.
‘After nearly 50 years in business, the transition in ownership to Eason is a logical step for Dubray and it will secure the future of the Dubray brand as a specialist book retailer,’ said Gemma Barry.
‘Eason’s commitment to the Dubray brand and store estate is a great reflection on the quality and passion of our people, our loyal customer base and compelling retail proposition.
‘I look forward to seeing the business continue to flourish under Eason’s ownership.’
Dubray employs approximately 90 people, has annual sales of over €9 million and generates operating profits of approximately €0.7 million. Under the ownership of the Barry family the business continued to expand its operations and comprises eight bookstores across the Greater Dublin Area and Galway.
Eason has long admired Dubray’s customer proposition as a specialist bookseller and intends to retain Dubray as a separate brand, along with its retail outlets in their current format.
Eason will continue to develop its own retail proposition, which serves a different customer profile, based on a broader product offering and five core categories that see a popular book range complimented by stationery, cards, gifts and newspapers and magazines.
Dubray will continue to operate in its current format as a stand-alone division within Eason under the Dubray brand.
The current Dubray management team, led by Maria Dickenson, will continue to operate the Dubray stores.
Maria will join the Eason executive team, working with the current members and the Eason Group CEO, Liam
Hanly.
Dubray and the Barry family were attracted to Eason because it is a long-established, Irish-owned, independent retail business, with a shared passion for books and a commitment to maintaining the Dubray brand into the future.
Commenting on the acquisition: Liam Hanly, CEO, Eason Group, said: ‘We are delighted to have completed this acquisition and believe the coming together of Eason and Dubray will help secure the future of two renowned Irish retail brands.
‘As a specialist book retailer, Dubray reaches a different customer audience to Eason and the brand will therefore complement the wider Eason offering.
‘We are very excited by the potential to grow the Dubray business in conjunction with the continued development of the existing Eason retail offering in the coming years.’
Maria Dickenson, Managing Director of Dubray, said: ‘This acquisition will be positive for the Irish book trade, ensuring that Irish publishing can continue to flourish with the support of local Irishowned booksellers with wide customer appeal like Eason and the specialist credentials of Dubray.
‘Our new common ownership will strengthen our ability to continue supporting and promoting local talent while continuing to meet the needs of our existing loyal customers.’