O’Neills reports sales of jerseys are up 200%
Ireland-based sportswear brand O’Neill’s has reported a boom in the sale of GAA jerseys in Australia. Boosted by the growing numbers of Irish people emigrating to Australia, O’Neills confirmed that the sale of their GAA jerseys in the country has increased by 200% in the past two years.
O’Neills director Paul Towell said the company was “chasing the emigrant dollar” by aiming to increase revenues in overseas markets. O’Neills employs 500 people in Ireland and Mr Towell said O’Neills is selling direct to GAA clubs in Australia.
“The expansion of the company’s export markets is necessary to maintain jobs at the firm. The 200% increase in sales in Australia in two years is from a small base, but it’s a significant increase,” he said.
Mr Towell said O’Neills is also expanding in the Far East, the US and the UK. The firm’s export sales account for 15% of overall sales and Mr Towell said the company plans to raise that to 25% in 2012.
