Inglot Cosmetics Ireland is expanding its UK operations with the opening of two new concession stores in retailer Next.
The new deal comes as the family-run makeup franchise, with roots in Mullingar in Co Westmeath, marks 10 years in business.
Next will allocate space to Inglot in two of its biggest stores in Manchester, the Arndale Centre and the Trafford Centre.
The first two concessions will open in May, with many more planned in the coming months.
The expansion plans follow the opening of three new standalone stores in the UK in recent months, including Inglot's flagship store in Westfield White City in London, which opened last November.
Since it opened its first store in Liffey Valley in Dublin in 2009, Inglot now has 22 stores across Ireland and the UK.
Jane Swarbrigg, managing director of Inglot Ireland, said that while the business is strong, retail is an industry in transformation, with new channels driving growth.
"Diversification is vital for success, which is why this strategic partnership with Next is so significant, not only will it broaden our distribution and geographic reach, but it also presents an opportunity for Inglot to reach new audiences in the Next customer base," she said.
Peter Swarbrigg, the company's financial director, said the partnership represents a significant opportunity for the Inglot brand in the UK as Next has more than 500 stores across the UK and Ireland.
"Currently, we're also considering standalone stores in Liverpool, Birmingham, Cardiff and Essex, which are some of the biggest shopping destinations in the UK, with considerable footfall," he added.
Inglot is also rolling-out the brand in a number of pharmacies across Ireland, beginning with CH Chemists in Tralee, Burke's Pharmacy in Naas and McElhinney's in Ballybofey, Co Donegal.
"These are the first of many as we focus on the wholesale market, selling to pharmacies in regional towns in Ireland where we don't already have an existing store," Peter Swarbrigg said.
