Tag: stores

Penneys has launched its new customer app in Ireland

Penneys has launched its new customer app in Ireland. The launch marks the next step in the retailer’s strategy to harness the power of digital to support its stores and bring the best of Penneys to more people. Available to download from Apple Store and Google Play Store from today, the new app brings the full Penneys experience into the palm of your hand, letting users enjoy the ease of digital browsing while still capturing the excitement of in-store discovery.

The new customer app offers an immersive browsing experience that makes it easy to scroll through Penneys’ newest trends and style inspiration wherever you are, while the popular stock checker feature lets shoppers instantly see if their must-have items are available at their local Penneys store. A built-in store locator provides quick access to opening hours and directions, while the favourites feature allows users to save top picks for their next visit. Customers can also opt-in for personalised notifications to stay up to date on the latest arrivals, collection launches and exclusive updates. All of this is delivered through an intuitive, user-friendly app design that ensures effortless navigation.

Fintan Costello, Head of Penneys Ireland and Northern Ireland said; “We know our customers love the buzz of a Penneys store — from discovering the latest trends to picking up everyday essentials for the family. Our digital channels are driving shoppers into our stores, and so with more people browsing online before they shop, the Penneys app extends that experience, offering a convenient and inspiring way to explore our ranges anytime, anywhere. Whether at home or on the go, now it’s never been easier to connect with Penneys.”

The retailer has been steadily investing in digital, building on the success of its social media platforms – 26 million followers globally, consistent website growth with 20% of people who visit the website using the stock check feature. The launch of the app in Ireland reflects a growing demand from customers who want digital tools that complement their in-store experience. Among people visiting the Penneys website in Ireland, women’s fashion topped the most popular search category, but it’s the Home offering that’s the rising star with shoppers, coming in as the second most searched term. From stylish cushions and candles to smart storage, nearly every home in Ireland has a touch of Penneys — and now, browsing the latest trends is just a tap away with the new app in your pocket.

The Penneys customer app officially launches in Ireland today. Whether you’re planning your next shopping trip or checking what’s in stock before you shop, it’s your go-to fashion companion.

Magento 2 Payment Gateway Integration Tutorial: Step-by-Step Guide

Ultimate Guide to Magento 2 Payment Gateway Integration

Nearly 75% of online shoppers abandon their carts if their preferred payment method isn’t available. Did you know that? Think about yourself. You are browsing through an online store and adding products to your cart. 

As soon as you are ready to place an order, you figure out that the website doesn’t support the payment option you’d like to use. Frustrating, right? The same thing happens to your customers. Consequently, your business loses clients, and you lose money.

How can you predict and prevent something like this? Integrate the right payment gateway. How do you choose the best one? Read this Magento 2 payment gateway integration tutorial from top to bottom, and you’ll find all the answers. Ready to optimize your checkout experience and boost conversions? Let’s dive in!

Payment Gateway Integration Types Used in Magento 2

You want to build a seamless e-commerce experience, don’t you? That’s our starting point. The most important thing here is to choose the right payment gateway. Among all the options available, we recommend that you pay attention to Magento 2 integration services.

Why do we consider this one to be the perfect payment solution for store owners? First and foremost, it offers smooth, secure, and versatile payment options for your target audience. Magento 2 uses a few types of payment gateway integrations to cover different clients’ needs.

  • Hosted payment gateways for external transaction processing.
  • Direct payment gateways for transactions within the Magento store.
  • Bank transfer integrations for direct payments via bank accounts.
  • Mobile payment gateways are optimized for mobile transactions.
  • Cryptocurrency payment gateways make it possible to accept Bitcoin, Ethereum, and more.
  • Buy now, pay later options offer flexible payment arrangements for customers.

It is hard to disagree with the fact that a well-integrated payment gateway minimizes friction and boosts user experience. Pick the type of integration that best suits your business requirements. Of course, it is not that easy to set it all up and make it work. But the more you know, the easier it goes.

How to Integrate a Custom Payment Gateway into Magento 2: Step-by-Step Instruction

We are going to start our Magento payment gateway tutorial for beginners with the explanation what actually this service is. In the nutshell, the technology facilitates online transactions by securely transmitting payment information from a customer’s bank account to the merchant’s account. As far as you understand how to set up and manage this integration you can run an online store successfully.

Prerequisites for Magento 2 Payment Gateway Integration

In the beginning, make sure you have access to your Magento 2 Admin Panel and a sandbox account to test the payment gateway. It would be good for you to understand the basics of the module structure. Familiarity with PHP, XML, and Composer also helps a lot. If you have all the above, you are ready to go.

Set Up a New Payment Module

This step is a very important one. Now we are going to set up a new Magento 2 module.

  • Create the module directory: app/code/Vendor/PaymentGatewayName
  • Generate the registration file: registration.php
  • Add the module configuration: etc/module.xml

To enable the module, you should run the command:

php bin/magento setup:upgrade

php bin/magento setup:di:compile

php bin/magento cache:clean

Configure Settings

Now it’s time to configure the gateway settings in the admin panel:

  1. Navigate to: Stores → Configuration → Sales → Payment Methods.
  2. Locate your Custom Payment Gateway in the list.
  3. Fill in the required details:
  • API Keys (Public and Secret)
  • Transaction Mode (Sandbox/Live)
  • Merchant ID
  • Currency Support
  1. Save the configuration and clear the cache.

Add Payment Gateway to Magento Checkout Page

On the next stage of the integration process, you have to update the payment.xml file to define the checkout layout. Then customize the frontend template for displaying payment options and integrate JS logic. Now, users will be able to select your gateway during checkout.

Implement Logic and Validation

Next, implement the backend logic to process transactions:

  1. Create a model for API calls to the payment provider.
  2. Handle transaction validation and error checking.
  3. Process response data to confirm payment status.
  4. Log transaction data for future reference.

Test the Integration

To make the payment experience as smooth as possible for your clients, you should test the integration and fix the bugs. For this purpose, you can use Sandbox Mode. Check various payment scenarios, for example, successful payments, failed attempts, network errors, etc. Test on different devices and browsers.

Debug Common Issues

Even with the best setup, sometimes issues happen. That’s way, the next step of our Magento payment gateway tutorial would be the one about debugging. Let’s consider the common problems you may face with.

  • Payment method not visible. Re-check the payment.xml configuration.
  • Transaction errors. Validate API keys and permissions.
  • The checkout page crashes. Verify JS compatibility and console errors.
  • The order status is not updating. Confirm webhook communication with the payment gateway.

Deploy the Custom Payment Gateway

This is the last but not least stage of our Magento 2 payment gateway integration tutorial. If everything works as expected, you can move on to deploying.

  1. Switch from Sandbox to Live Mode.
  2. Backup your Magento 2 instance.
  3. Deploy to production:

php bin/magento setup:upgrade

php bin/magento cache:flush

php bin/magento deploy:mode:set production

Now, your gateway for the payment system is live and ready for transactions.

Custom Payment Gateway Integration

Our Magento payment gateway tutorial for beginners is designed to help you in setting up the online payment system for your store. A few more advice to make your experience as smooth as possible and keep your payment gateway secure and reliable.

  • Use SSL encryption for all transactions.
  • Implement fraud detection mechanisms.
  • Update API keys and credentials regularly.
  • Log all transactions for transparency and audits.
  • Follow PCI DSS compliance for secure data handling.

A smooth and secure payment process is really important, even we’d say vital, for business growth. Integrating multiple payment options in your Magento store achieves two goals simultaneously: enhances customer experience and boosts conversions.

However, setting up a flawless payment gateway that seamlessly integrates with the Magento marketplace is not that easy. If you have never had to work with something like this before, you may spend a lot of time and effort trying to navigate technical configurations. 

Leave the integration to the professionals and watch your store thrive. This way, you can focus on scaling your business and concentrate on what matters most.

 

The Technology Powering Ireland’s Cold Storage Revolution: How Smart Cold Rooms Are Transforming Urban Food Operations

In Ireland’s fast-evolving food and beverage landscape, advanced cold storage technology is becoming essential for business continuity, food safety, and operational scalability. With rising demand for fresh, high-quality goods in urban centres like Dublin, Cork, Galway, and Limerick, cold room rentals—equipped with cutting-edge features—are experiencing a surge as businesses seek smarter, more adaptable solutions.

Whether it’s a craft brewery storing seasonal batches, a fine-dining restaurant prepping for the weekend rush, or a meal prep company scaling deliveries, today’s cold rooms offer consistent temperature control, remote monitoring, and energy efficiency—all in a compact and flexible format. More than just storage, they’re a technological asset driving growth and innovation across Ireland’s food sector.

Adapting to a Fast-Moving Market with Scalable Tech

Urban food and beverage businesses must respond quickly to seasonal shifts, new trends, and unpredictable customer demands. Cold room rentals now offer digitally managed, on-demand storage—enabling companies to expand capacity without costly infrastructure upgrades. This flexibility is critical in cities where space is limited and market conditions shift rapidly.

A deli in Dublin may need extra refrigeration during the holidays, while a Cork market stall might require temporary cold storage for a weekend festival. Modern rental options now feature smart thermostats, app-controlled access, and real-time usage analytics—empowering businesses to make informed decisions about stock and energy use.

Raising the Bar for Food Safety with Smart Monitoring

Meeting HSE and HACCP requirements is non-negotiable in the Irish food industry. Cold room rentals now integrate advanced safety technology, including remote temperature logging, automated alerts, and compliance-ready data reports. These features ensure perishable goods stay within safe temperature ranges—protecting both consumers and reputations.

Pop-up food vendors, mobile caterers, and event organizers benefit from the ability to monitor storage conditions in real time, even off-site. These tech-forward solutions reduce risk, simplify audits, and enhance traceability throughout the supply chain.

Supporting Hospitality’s Growth Through Flexible, High-Tech Storage

Ireland’s hospitality industry is thriving post-pandemic, with a wave of new openings in urban areas. For many of these establishments—operating on tight margins and in compact spaces—high-tech cold room rentals provide a critical advantage.

Hotels hosting large events can temporarily expand their refrigeration capacity. Rooftop bars in Dublin can keep drinks and garnishes chilled in mobile units featuring digital locking systems and optimized airflow technology. These innovations allow venues to deliver high-quality experiences without compromising efficiency or compliance.

Fueling Urban Food Startups with On-Demand Cold Chain Infrastructure

Food startups, artisan producers, and culinary tech ventures are reshaping Ireland’s food scene. But many face logistical challenges, particularly around cold storage. Renting smart cold rooms gives these entrepreneurs access to industrial-grade refrigeration—without the need for upfront investment or permanent facilities.

Startups operating from shared kitchens can rent nearby cold rooms with remote access and scheduling features, supporting B2B fulfillment, farmers’ markets, and local grocery partnerships. For these small producers, tech-enabled cold rooms are not just storage—they’re a launchpad for growth.

Keeping Events Cool with Mobile, Tech-Enabled Cold Rooms

Ireland’s event calendar is packed with festivals, weddings, and outdoor dining experiences. For caterers and mobile food operations, transporting and safely storing perishables is a challenge. Enter the mobile cold room rental—often GPS-tracked, app-monitored, and generator-compatible.

From multi-day festivals to exclusive private functions, these units can be deployed, scaled, and managed with minimal disruption. Remote diagnostics and automated alerts help ensure everything from gourmet dishes to chilled prosecco stays fresh, no matter the setting.

Tech-Driven Cold Storage Supports Sustainability and Reduces Waste

Modern cold rooms are increasingly built with energy efficiency in mind, using eco-friendly refrigerants and smart climate control systems. This not only reduces carbon footprint but also helps prevent food spoilage—a major contributor to waste in the sector.

Urban businesses can now manage inventory better, extend product shelf life, and optimize storage—all thanks to data-driven refrigeration technology. Cold room rentals help close the loop on sustainability, aligning with Ireland’s broader climate goals.

A Vital Backup Solution for Equipment Failure

When refrigeration equipment fails, businesses risk major losses. Fortunately, cold room rental services across Ireland can deliver high-tech units within hours—complete with cloud-based monitoring and backup power options. This rapid deployment minimizes downtime and ensures compliance, even during unexpected emergencies.

For businesses storing high volumes of perishables, this emergency tech solution has become a critical part of their risk management playbook.

Conclusion: Cold Room Rentals Are Ireland’s Smartest Cooling Solution

Cold room rentals are no longer just a temporary fix—they’re a strategic tech solution powering Ireland’s modern food economy. With features like digital monitoring, remote control, and sustainable operation, these cold rooms are enabling businesses to scale faster, reduce waste, and deliver better customer experiences.

As Ireland’s urban centres continue to grow, tech-enabled cold storage will remain at the heart of food safety, operational flexibility, and sustainable innovation. For a sector defined by freshness, quality, and rapid evolution, that’s a very cool advantage.

Following Success of the Care Line, eir Launches Age Friendly Care Services in All Irish Stores

eir, Ireland’s largest telecommunications provider, is extending its Age Friendly Care service to all its stores across Ireland, providing dedicated customer care and technical support service to senior customers, aged 65 and over.

Co-designed in partnership with Age Friendly Ireland and Age Action, the Age Friendly Care initiative is designed based on a bespoke care programme that takes the complexity out of the services and helps build relationships with customers by making everything simple – from bills to mobile data, broadband or landline queries.

Initially consisting of a dedicated phone line for customers aged 65 and over, with a team of 20 dedicated agents specially trained in technical and soft skills, the service has grown in popularity since its introduction, with over 65,000 calls received to the Age Friendly Care line, with 23,500 calls in 2023 alone. The average time spent on each call is 10.5 minutes, and average answer speed of 1m 10s. The bespoke care approach has proven so successful that eir is now introducing in-person Age Friendly Care to their customers, in stores. The Age Friendly Care team was recognised by industry at the CCMA awards in 2022 taking home the prestigious title of Care Team of the Year.

Commenting on the launch of the in-store Age Friendly Care services, Sinead O’Gorman Managing Director of eir’s Customer Operations said: “At eir, our purpose is to connect for a better Ireland. Our experience during the pandemic made it clear that our customers rely on our stores and in person care for more than shopping: we’re here to provide them with care, answer their questions and help overcome connectivity challenges. Based on the success we’ve had with the initiative for almost two years since launch, we’re delighted to bring our hugely popular Age Friendly Care programme to life in our stores. The team in-store has been specially trained to provide care for older customers every day. If a customer feels they want more time to discuss their problem, dedicated in-store time for Age Friendly Care support has been set aside each Tuesday morning between 10 am and 12 pm.”

Susan Brady Managing Director eir Consumer and Small Business commented: “At eir, we are committed to providing our customers with the best possible in person retail experience. Alongside introducing new in-person services such as Age Friendly Care we’re proud to announce this significant €4 million investment in our retail network and unveil our new look stores, which reflect our commitment to offering the best of modern retailing and in-store experiences. We are progressing the transformation work at pace to ensure minimum disruption for our customers.”

eir’s ‘age friendly’ care line can be reached on 1800 252 252 and will be accessible between the hours of 10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday. If an older person wishes to nominate a friend or family member to manage their account on their behalf, this nominee can work with the age-friendly care team to resolve any issues. Age friendly support is available in all eir’s stores every day, with a dedicated slot from 10am to 12pm on Tuesdays for queries that may take a bit longer.

Argos to close ALL 34 stores and operations in Republic of Ireland #Argos

Argos has announced that it intends to close all stores and operations in the Republic of Ireland at the end of June this year. Argos is a retailer of general merchandise products, including toys, technology and consumer electronics. It arrived at the decision to leave Ireland following a long period of careful consideration and a thorough review of its business and operations in the country. Argos concluded the investment required to develop and modernise the Irish part of its business was not viable and that the money would be better invested in other parts of its business.

Argos operates a bespoke model in the Republic of Ireland that is significantly different to its wider UK operation and today’s announcement only relates to Argos stores in the Republic of Ireland. There will be no change to the retailer’s operations in Northern Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales, where Argos is performing well and collectively has over 1,000 points of presence. This includes 253 standalone stores and 422 Argos stores inside Sainsbury’s stores, as well as Argos Click and Collect inside over 400 other Sainsbury’s stores.

Everyone at Argos recognises that today’s news will be unsettling for all its colleagues, some of whom have served Argos customers in Ireland for many years, and disappointing for its loyal customers.

Argos is committed to doing everything it can to support its people and is talking to 580 colleagues[1], across 34 stores in the Republic of Ireland about their options. As part of its consultation with colleagues and Mandate, the recognised trade union, Argos will propose an enhanced redundancy package that goes well beyond its statutory obligations. The small number of colleagues not eligible for redundancy under Irish Law are expected to receive a one-off goodwill payment. To further support colleagues, Argos has also committed to a programme of wider support over the coming months.

Andy McClelland, Argos Ireland Operations Manager, said: “We understand this is difficult news for our customers and colleagues. As with any major change to our business, we have not made this decision lightly and we are doing everything we can to support those impacted. On behalf of everyone at Argos I would like to thank our colleagues, customers, suppliers and partners for their support to our business.” 

Argos stores will remain open to customers in the Republic of Ireland until 24th June 2023[2]. Following today’s announcement, Argos will begin the process of gradually winding down its Irish business. As part of this, customers in Ireland will no longer be able to pay for orders via the Argos website or place orders via its home delivery service after 22nd March 2023. Orders placed up to this date will continue to be fulfilled and customers will still be able to reserve products online and pay for them in store until the point of business closure.

The aftersales, returns, refunds and exchanges policy will continue to apply until Argos stores close. Customers will be able find more information here [3] about how this policy will continue, in line with the retailer’s statutory obligations, after its stores have closed.

Argos is communicating its overall decision to colleagues, customers, landlords, suppliers and other stakeholders today in order to give them as much time as possible to plan accordingly.

[1] The equivalent of 330 full time colleagues

[2] With the exception of our Kilkenny, St. Stephens Green (Dublin), Portlaoise and Galway stores, which will close slightly earlier due to lease terms

[3] The updated version will first be available for customers to view on 20th January 2023, after which it will be updated regularly.