Retail Excellence has announced the winners of its awards programme which recognises outstanding retailers across the country.
Arboretum, with outlets in Co Carlow and Co Wicklow, was named National Retailer of the year, while Longford's Fabiani was named National Store of the year.
Arboretum is run by the Doyle family and the business was originally based on a ten acre site in Leighlinbridge in Co Carlow which features a kitchen store, a garden café, home & gift area, furniture area, fashion area and a qualified team of plant experts all under the one roof.
In 2015 Arboretum opened its second store in Kilquade in Co Wicklow, which is based on the site of the National Garden Exhibition Centre.
Fergal Doyle, of Arboretum, said it has been an incredibly difficult period between the pandemic, the various lockdowns and the challenges that people are facing every day of the week.
"But our team has kept going throughout everything and they are the reason we have won this award," he added.
Louise Brennan of Fabiani - a luxury women's shop - also said the award was a huge boost after a very difficult year.
"We put our heart and soul into the business and are trying to create something of real value here in Longford. It is amazing to get this recognition and it will inspire us to even greater heights in the coming months," she stated.
Duncan Graham, chief executive of Retail Excellence, said that all the winners were a tribute to the Irish retail sector.
"These awards highlight that despite all the current challenges, the retail sector continues to thrive. All these winners demonstrate the hard work, vision and determination that characterises the best of Irish retail," he added.
