Shopping for Household Essentials in Ireland

If you have had to pay the high cost of getting your personal effects shipped to Ireland, then you probably got rid of a lot of things and now need some basic household essentials. But when you arrive in Ireland you will have no idea which shops to visit for basic items such as linens, kitchenware, and electricals. Furthermore, you won’t know which are the luxury or the budget shops. This guide will provide you an overview of the main department stores in Ireland and what to expect from them.

Where to shop for household essentials in Ireland:

• Typical Opening Hours
• Shopping for Bedding in Ireland
• Department Stores in Ireland
• Upmarket Department Stores in Ireland
• Affordable/Mid-Range Department Stores in Ireland
• Budget Department Stores in Ireland
• Online Department Stores in Ireland
• Specialty Electrical Stores in Ireland
• Buying Second Hand in Ireland

Typical Opening Hours

Shops in Ireland may open whenever they want, including Sundays and public holidays, but they are typically open:

• Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday: 8:00 – 10:00 to 17:00 – 19:00
• Thursday: 8:00 – 10:00 to 20:00 – 22:00
• Sunday: 9:00 – 11:00 to 17:00 – 19:00

Large shopping centres and out of town suburban centres are typically open longer hours everyday:

• Weekdays 09:00 to 22:00
• Saturdays 09:00 to 19:00
• Sundays 10:00 to 19:00

In the two weeks running up to Christmas, it is common for many shops to have extended opening hours. Some may operate 24 hours until midnight on Christmas Eve.

Most shops in smaller towns and villages don’t open on Sundays. Shops are usually closed on Christmas Day, though most are open on all other holidays.

Shopping for Bedding in Ireland

Ireland shares the same bed sizing as the UK. For those of you from countries that use the bed size ‘Queen’ and ‘King’ – the Irish King size is similar (though slightly smaller) to a ‘Queen’, and the ‘Super King’ is similar (though slightly smaller) to the ‘King’.

Sheets are usually sold singularly (flat or fitted). Sheets are not commonly sold in sets (i.e. flat and fitted sheets and pillowcases in one package).

Pillowcases are usually sold in pairs. The opening/closure of the case is usually a pocket inside the open end to enclose the pillow. In other countries the square/continental pillow is often called a “European sized pillow”.

Below is a table of the bed types and sizes that you might expect.

Tips

• An Oxford pillowcase is one that has an extended material edging/valance trim.
• When purchasing a duvet cover, be aware that some of the more expensive brands sometimes sell their pillow cases separately, making this an additional cost to consider when comparing prices.
• In the higher quality range of sheets, there is usually the option to purchase ‘deep fitted’ sheets to accommodate modern extra thick mattresses.

Department Stores in Ireland

What is Click & Collect?

A service where you can purchase your product online and then choose which store you wish to collect it from.

Price Range:

€€€€ = Expensive

€€€ = Pricey

€€ = Moderate

€ = Cheap

Upmarket Department Stores in Ireland

Arnotts

A very large and rather confusingly laid out department store in Dublin where you will find a wide range of quality branded products, but for a price. They sell a wide range of items including clothing, beauty, furniture and accessories, homeware, home appliances, televisions and audio, computers and cameras.

• Price Range: €€€
• Online Shopping: Yes
• Click & Collect: Yes
• Loyalty Card: Yes
• Website: arnotts.ie

Brown Thomas

An Irish chain of department stores specialising in high end luxury goods. This store will suit those of you not fazed at paying high prices for upmarket products.

• Price Range: €€€€
• Online Shopping: Yes
• Click & Collect: Yes
• Loyalty Card: Yes
• Website: brownthomas.com

Affordable/Mid-Range Department Stores in Ireland

Dunnes

A good store to purchase affordable clothing, beauty products, kitchen and homeware. Some of the stores also have a Dunnes grocery department. The stores also have an open layout, making it easy to find your way around.

• Price Range: €€
• Online Shopping: Yes
• Click & Collect: Yes
• Loyalty Card: Yes
• Website: dunnesstores.com

Marks & Spencers (AKA M&S)

A good range of affordable clothing, beauty products, furniture, homeware and a limited range of kitchenware. Some of the stores also have an M&S grocery department.

• Price Range: €€
• Online Shopping: Yes
• Click & Collect: Yes
• Loyalty Card: Yes
• Website: marksandspencer.ie

Budget Department Stores in Ireland

Argos

An interesting store concept as they have no goods on display. Instead, they have a huge catalogue that you can view via their telephone book sized catalogues, or online. You then order the item/s you want online, choosing the store that you wish to collect it from. You pay for your items in store, then you will be given a ticketed number to collect it. They also do home delivery for some items. They stock everything from homeware, home appliances, televisions and audio, computers, cameras as well as furniture.

• Price Range: € – €€
• Online Shopping: Yes
• Home Delivery: Only for large items.
• Click & Collect: Yes
• Loyalty Card: No
• Website: argos.ie

Guineys (AKA Michael Guineys)

Guineys sell basic homeware and clothing for cheap prices. The quality at these stores can really vary, and sometimes the stores are not in the best of order. However, bargains, especially on linens, are to be had if you are on a tight budget.

• Price Range: €
• Online Shopping: Yes
• Click & Collect: No
• Loyalty Card: No
• Website: guineys.ie

Ikea

If you prefer bed and bathroom linens of a higher quality, then this is not the place to get them. However, this is a great place to go if you want to completely kit out your new home in one budget friendly shopping trip. They sell Scandinavian style furniture, accessories and homeware. Beware – once you enter the store, you’ll be in there for a while, fun for some, a nightmare for others. You are made to follow a path through the entire store just to get to the exit.

For large items, you need to write down the code found on the display furniture and then find and collect them from the warehouse shelves located at the end of your journey, just before the cashiers. They have an assistant in each section that can check whether the item is in stock. One of the most frustrating things about Ikea is that they are frequently out of stock. If you already know what you want prior to visiting (their website showcases all of their items), then check their stocks by ringing them or checking online to avoid disappointment.

Just be careful that what you buy actually fits in your car! They do offer delivery services, but at a cost to you. Their furniture items require assembly, but for a fee they can arrange for someone to come to your home and assemble it for you.

• Price range: €
• Online Shopping: No
• Click & Collect: No, but for a fee they will find and collect the items you want and have them ready for you at an agreed time at the tills ready for payment.
• Home Delivery: Yes
• Loyalty Card: No
• Website: ikea.com/ie/en/

Penneys (AKA Primark)

Ireland’s beloved budget retailer stock clothing, beauty products, and a small range of cheap bed, bath and kitchen linens. When you see the cheap prices, it’s easy to get carried away and buy things you do not need.

• Price Range: €
• Home Delivery: No
• Click & Collect: No
• Loyalty Card: No
• Website: primark.com/en-ie

TK Maxx (AKA TJ Maxx)

An outlet style store which stock mostly clothes and a small range of homewares and accessories. Bargains can be had if you are in the store at the right time, however, stock varies so you may not always find what you are after.

• Price Range: € – €€
• Online Shopping: No
• Click & Collect: No
• Loyalty Card: No
• Website: tkmaxx.ie

Online Department Stores in Ireland

When purchasing goods online from EU countries, Irish Value Added Taxes (VAT) will be charged to your purchases. This usually occurs at the checkout stage once you have identified Ireland as your shipping destination, as EU countries have varying VAT rates.

When purchasing items online from a non-EU website, they won’t charge the Irish VAT, but they may charge their local VAT. Because the Irish VAT is so high, it may make the online purchase price appear like an irresistible bargain when you see it without the VAT. However, don’t think that you are going avoid paying the Irish VAT on your purchase. The Irish Post Office, An Post, will apply the Irish VAT to your purchase and collect it from you when they deliver your goods. So what may seem like a bargain may actually end up being an expensive purchase once you add on the rather steep Irish VAT charges.

Find out the VAT rate that will apply to your online purchase on the Irish Revenue website.

Amazon

Irish residents use the UK site, so be aware that shipping costs can apply. Unfortunately, there are a lot of retailers that won’t ship to Ireland. Keep in mind that the prices are in pounds. When you get to the payment part of your order it will be converted into Euro, however, be aware that VAT is higher in Ireland so this will also be added on to your purchase during the payment process.

• Price range: € – €€€€
• Website: Amazon.co.uk

House of Fraser

British department store that has a nice range of products, but a bit on the pricey side. They stock fashion, beauty, homeware and accessories.

• Price Range: €€€
• Online Shopping: Yes
• Click & Collect: Yes
• Loyalty Card: Yes
• Website: houseoffraser.co.uk

Littlewoods

An Irish online only retailer. A good range of products, including clothing, beauty, furniture and accessories, homeware, home appliances, televisions and audio, computers and cameras. Littlewoods can be on the pricey side.

• Price range: €€€
• Website: littlewoodsireland.ie

Specialty Electrical Stores in Ireland

If purchasing electrical goods online, don’t forget to ensure that it has the correct plug – otherwise, be prepared to buy an adaptor for it. There will also be a number of locally owned electrical stores as well, but these are the main chain stores:

Currys

Has a range of kitchen and home appliances, televisions and audio, computers and cameras. Some of the smaller stores only sell electronics.

• Price Range: €€€
• Online Shopping: Yes
• Click & Collect: Yes
• Loyalty Card: No
• Website: currys.ie

D.I.D Electrical

Has a range of kitchen and home appliances, televisions and audio, computers and cameras.

• Price Range: €€€
• Online Shopping: No
• Click & Collect: No
• Loyalty Card: No
• Website: did.ie

Expert

Has a range of kitchen and home appliances, televisions and audio, computers and cameras.

• Price Range: €€€
• Online Shopping: No
• Click & Collect: No
• Loyalty Card: No
• Website: expert.ie

Harvey Norman

Is an Australian-based chain that has a range of kitchen and home appliances, televisions and audio, computers, cameras as well as furniture.

• Price Range: €€€
• Online Shopping: Yes
• Click & Collect: Yes
• Loyalty Card: No
• Website: harveynorman.ie

Power City

Has a range of kitchen and home appliances, televisions and audio, computers and cameras.

• Price Range: €€€
• Online Shopping: No
• Click & Collect: No
• Loyalty Card: No
• Website: powercity.ie

 

Buying Second Hand in Ireland

Second Hand Stores

There are lots of second hand furniture stores and charity shops. A quick online search will find your local retailers. There are also plenty of antique stores for those of you with a bit more money and looking for something unique.

Buying Second Hand Online

People tend to overprice their wares, so be sure to first check the recommended retail price (RRP) of similar new items before making an offer.

• Adverts.ie
• Donedeal.ie
• Gumtree.ie

Tips

• Be very careful if you are buying or selling items online. There are a lot of scams. Go with your gut and always be weary of deals that seem too good to be true. If your selling something, scammers will usually offer you your asking price or even more, and then ask you to post it to them or their ‘relative’ at another location (usually overseas). They tell you to send them a Paypal invoice (it’s usually Paypal, but it can be other payment services).
• There are people that offer to buy your item, then just don’t show up and ones that seem to enjoy leading you on, always changing the collection arrangements, but never being able to make it – they are time wasters.
• Make sure you check their buyers/sellers feedback scores and reviews. Also, be wary of communication in broken English and anyone offering more than you have asked for.
• It’s safer to sell in person and receive cash. Always meet them in a safe public place, and take a friend for support. If you have to go alone, then be sure to tell someone where you are going.