DEMAND FOR IRISH-made gifts in the lead up to Christmas has risen this year according to the Crafts Council of Ireland.
Retailers such as Arnotts, Kilkenny Group, Irishdesignshop.com, makersandbrothers.com, Stonechat and Ardmore Pottery have reported an increase in sales of Irish made items in 2012.
A survey by Millward Brown Lansdowne found that interest in buying and owning craft has increased to 55 per cent this year, a 4 per cent increase from 2011.
Karen Hennessy, Chief Executive of the Crafts Council of Ireland said that over the last 3 years there has been a significant increase in people interested in buying and owning Irish craft and design due to consumers “actively wanting to buy locally produced product but equally due to the quality, design, value for money and availability of Irish craft”.
“There are over 5,700 people working in craft in Ireland so it is great to see people supporting Irish jobs through considered purchases when buying gifts,” she said. “The Irish craft sector contributes almost half a billion euros to the Irish economy each year and the Crafts Council of Ireland is committed to developing and supporting this sector.”
CEO of he Kilkenny Group Marian O’Gorman said there has been a “strong interest in consumers buying Irish” this year.
“It has to be good value though,” she said. “We have seen craftspeople coming out with better products at better prices in response to the recession.”
The Crafts Council of Ireland’s has a dedicated gift website, aimed at guiding shoppers directly to the retailers where Irish made products can be purchased, while showcasing a range of products selected from the work of over 400 Irish designers and craft makers.
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