Aligned with the fashion industry, Brown Thomas has always evolved with changing times. In 1991, under the leadership of Hilary and Galen Weston, the company embarked on an expansion route, purchasing the competing firm, the Switzer Group. This acquisition encompassed not only Switzers in Dublin, but also Todds in Limerick, Moons in Galway, and Cashs in Cork. This lead to a nationwide presence as, within ten years, all businesses were rebranded as Brown Thomas.
At the acquisition’s onset, managing director George McCullough highlighted the advantages of this deal to the Irish public via RTÉ news. These included access to goods uniquely available at Switzers and also the introduction of new product lines such as televisions, music systems, and assorted toys.
This takeover also provided an opportunity to relocate, with Brown Thomas shifting opposite to the erstwhile Switzer building. On Valentine’s Day in 1995, the unveiling of the enhanced Brown Thomas took place. With a panoramic expanse of 140,000 square feet, it surpassed both Switzers and the old Brown Thomas in terms of size and sophistication.
The design of the store had personally been under Hilary Weston’s supervision. While promising to match the elegance of leading international department stores, she also ensured a nod to Irish heritage was felt through the establishment. Ogham script in its staircase, handcrafted stair carpets, and Irish stone mosaic flooring in the menswear section, inspired by the Burren’s karst scenery, were amongst the elements of Celtic design incorporated.
The commercial growth continued at a steady pace with the inauguration of BT2, located on Grafton Street, in 1998. This was adjacent to A/wear- a business that had begun as a single boutique in 1966 in Limerick, and was invested in by Galen Weston in 1973. This popular fashion store grew rapidly across the nation, rebranding as A/wear in 1985, before undergoing a management buyout in 2007.
BT2, an entirely different venture, first opened its doors on Grafton Street in 1998. It targeted a younger audience for Brown Thomas by focusing on modern brands and designers. With an aim to expand their reach, Brown Thomas opened more branches in Dundrum, Cork, Galway, and Limerick. The sole BT2 shop now stands in Blanchardstown.
The company persistently invested in its growth and development, ultimately culminating in a significant revamp in 2008. Even during challenging times like the 2003 and 2010 floods – the latter preventing the St Stephen’s Day sale – the company saw these crises as opportunities for enhancing their service.
In the 2010s, a considerable refurbishment worth millions of euros modernised the store, strategically positioning it to capitalise on the growing consumer spending as the recession eased.
In 2015, Arnotts became a part of the Selfridges Group, Brown Thomas’s parent company, consequently changing its name to Brown Thomas Arnotts. The same year, Brown Thomas invested €1.5 million into their Grafton Street store’s external renovation, resulting in an enhanced, modern facade.
In the following year, a second-floor remodel was unveiled, featuring energy-efficient LED lights that brightened the store’s overall appeal and showcased the high-quality materials used, including dark stone floors and hand-carved walnut walls.
The interior designers poured significant efforts into creating an ideal environment that effectively displayed an expanding collection of designer labels such as Chanel, Hermes, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Armani, Balenciaga, and Prada, among others.
In 2021, with Galen Weston’s passing, Brown Thomas and Arnotts were sold by the Weston family in a €4.7 billion deal. This deal resulted in parent company Selfridges Group being acquired by a joint venture between the Central Group from Thailand and Austria’s Signa Retail.
The acquired brands, including Selfridges in the UK, Brown Thomas and Arnotts in Ireland, and De Bijenkorf in the Netherlands, joined an existing portfolio of 22 luxury department stores in Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and Denmark, either solely owned by Central or co-owned with Signa.
In 2022, a major development took place with the establishment of a 63,000sq ft branch in Dundrum Town Centre, one of the biggest shopping facilities in Ireland. This shop was set up in a section of the previous House of Fraser site.
This has led to a multitude of new concepts, including the launch of Planet Beauty. This dedicated area showcases the latest groundbreaking beauty and cosmetics brands which have rapidly become popular via social media. The success of this initiative has led to its implementation across the Brown Thomas group. The company has also fully embraced the digital era, making significant investments in its online shopping platform during the pandemic to expand its reach beyond physical borders.
Renowned celebrities have consistently been drawn to Brown Thomas throughout its history. These include customers eager for a luxurious shopping experience and designers looking to increase their brand visibility. During the Celtic Tiger period, Paris Hilton, a well-known socialite, came to inaugurate her perfume, Heiress. More recently, Victoria Beckham created a buzz amongst employees and customers when she visited to advertise her collection in association with Estée Lauder.
The shop has also seen supermodels like Naomi Campbell, Elle Macpherson and Helena Christensen walk its floor, as well as design gurus such as Stella McCartney and JW Anderson.
The purchase of Switzers, combined with a solid investment plan, luxury retail expertise and unparalleled customer service, ensures that Brown Thomas is set to thrive in its future for the next 175 years.