The national gifting retailer Menkind has opened its first-ever store in Ireland, marking a significant milestone in the brand’s ambitious bricks-and-mortar expansion programme and signalling its intention to further expand across Northern Ireland in the coming years.
The new Belfast location, situated at Castle Court Shopping Centre, represents Menkind’s first presence in Ireland and forms part of a wider multi-phase growth strategy.
Owned by retail and wholesale group Gift Universe, Menkind’s Belfast store brings the retailer’s distinctive mix of trending collectibles, licensed merchandise, gadgets and gifts to a new audience.
The space will allow customers to shop and experience some of the brand’s fastest-growing categories, including Pokémon merchandise, collectible figurines, Squishies and the hugely popular NeeDoh range, reflecting the continued growth of the “kidult” and collectibles market.
Paul Kraftman, CEO at Menkind, said: “We’ve reached a point where our confidence in physical retail has never been stronger. Opening our first store in Ireland is a landmark moment for the business and an important step in our expansion strategy. Belfast is a vibrant retail destination with a strong consumer base that aligns perfectly with our proposition of discovery, entertainment and excitement and a fine example of our commitment to delivering engaging customer experiences.”
