Dubarry of Ireland

In early October 2019, Dubarry of Ireland opened their first USA Pop Up Shop at 29 North Third Street in downtown Oxford, PA.  Enjoy this Q&A with GM Danny Hulse.

Tell us about Dubarry.

We are a traditional European outdoor brand making footwear and clothing for both Men and Women.

How long have you been around.

We were founded 82 years ago on the West Coast of Ireland but have been in the USA since 2006.

And what have you been doing in the USA since 2006?

From our office and warehouse in Nottingham PA, we have been distributing to around 300 stores in America, servicing our online business and attending around 65 direct to consumer sales and marketing events per year.

You mentioned events – some people locally will know you from local horse shows. Are you an equestrian brand?

We have always had a strong following in the equestrian world because we make hard-wearing and functional boots and jackets which were first adopted by people in the outdoor sports and field sports world, but we define ourselves as a Performance Lifestyle Brand. In fact most of the stores we sell to in America are lifestyle stores in the menswear, womenswear and outdoor retail sectors.

What products did Dubarry start with?

We are well known for our Gore-Tex lined waterproof leather boots, but our first technical footwear category was our boat shoes and off-shore sailing boots – both things we are still very well known for in the sail racing world.

And what product would you say defines Dubarry in America?

It’s fairly broad. Leather ankle boots are big right now, as are our waxed cotton jackets and sweaters, but we make everything from leather handbags to tweed jackets and hats too.

After having your office and warehouse in Nottingham for 13 years, why did you decide to open a Pop-Up Shop in Oxford?

While we don’t feel we are ready to have a stand-alone retail store in the USA just yet, we have been looking for an opportunity to test out a pop-up location that would serve as both a retail store and an outlet store. When Wilson King of Outback Trading moved his business into a facility that better fit their growing needs, he encouraged us to give it a go. It was perfect timing.

How would you describe the Pop-Up Shop in Oxford?

We have divided the store into 2. One half is an outlet store with discontinued product and former salesmen’s samples, typically between 50% and 70% discounted from MSRP. On the other side is our current fall/winter line. We have price points starting at $10 and running up to $600 so there really is something for everybody.

How long are you going to be there?

At least through the end of February 2020, possibly longer.

In regard to returns and exchanges, how are they handled?

All full priced goods purchased from us in the run-up to the holidays are fully refundable and exchangeable through to the end of January. If people miss us at the shop, they can return or exchange with us at our Nottingham Office and warehouse or by mail. Outlet and sale items are final sale.

And what hours are you open?

Tuesdays to Saturdays 10-6 and 10-4 on Sundays. In December we will also be opening on Mondays from the 9th and until 7pm except Sundays from there until Christmas. For holiday hours you can check our website, www.dubarry.us