'This is a massive moment': Two Northern Ireland family-run retail 'rivals' join forces in major high street partnership and expansion
Connollys of Moy and Menarys launch new collaboration with Sleep Studios and mobility services set to open inside three Menarys stores
Two of Northern Ireland’s long-established and respected family retailers are joining forces in a partnership aimed at expanding their presence on the high street and bringing specialist retail services into local town centres.
Connollys of Moy, which has more than 32 years’ experience in the retail sector, is partnering with Menarys, the Northern Ireland department store group established in 1923 and now operating around 20 stores.
The collaboration will bring Connollys of Moy’s renowned Sleep Studio and specialist mobility solutions directly inside Menarys department stores.
The initial rollout will begin in Bangor, followed by Newtownards and Banbridge, with both companies indicating that the partnership could be expanded to additional Menarys locations.
Vivion Connolly, managing director of Connollys of Moy, said the partnership represented an important step for both businesses and the wider high street.
Vivion Connolly, managing director of Connollys of Moy, said: “This is a massive moment for Northern Ireland’s high streets. For generations, both Connollys of Moy and Menarys have been built on trust and care.
"Bringing our Sleep Studio and mobility solutions into Menarys stores will support town centres and making sure essential care is accessible right at the heart of our local communities.”
Stephen McCammon, managing director of Menarys, said the deal would give the retailer an opportunity to expand its offering while working with another well-established Northern Ireland brand.
He added: “We are delighted to be partnering with Vivion and the Connollys of Moy team. This is a great opportunity for us to widen our product range to include a leading bed offer, and to do so with such a trusted and respected brand.
“Like Menarys, Connollys share our pursuit of offering our customers a high quality and exceptional value product. We look forward to these three department openings and very much hope to be offering this product range in many locations in the near future.”
For Connollys of Moy, the deal provides an opportunity to take its specialist offering into a wider network of established town-centre stores. For Menarys, it adds a new category to its existing retail mix while strengthening its relationship with another long-standing Northern Ireland family business.
The three new locations will officially launch next week.
The Connollys of Moy and Menarys operation in Bangor will open at 12pm on Saturday, September 5, with Pamela Ballantine cutting the ribbon. Exclusive goodie bags will also be available for the first customers through the doors.
The Newtownards opening will take place at 10am on Wednesday, September 9, with special guest Lady Mary Peters performing the official ribbon cutting.
The Banbridge opening will follow at 10am on Thursday, September 10, with Jill McDowell joining the launch celebrations.
The partnership represents a significant expansion for Connollys of Moy and a further development of Menarys’ department store offering, with the companies now looking to build on the initial three-store rollout.