Growing Your Bottom Line: Smart Sales Tips from Arboretum’s Rachel Doyle

• Date: Thursday 24th September 2026
• Venue: Blacks Brewery Kinsale, Blacks Lagoon, Cappagh, Kinsale, P17 AY10
• Time: 7:00 – 9:00 pm (Doors open 6:30 pm)
• Light refreshments provided
• Complementary copy of Rachel Doyle's book, 'My Tree of Life' for first 25 people who attend

As the busy Christmas trading period approaches, this short evening event is designed to give businesses across retail, hospitality and services, a concentrated burst of practical ideas they can put into action immediately.

The session will be led by James Burke, one of Ireland’s leading retail and food experts, with deep experience of the independent retail and hospitality sectors. James will share practical thinking on winning at food and retail, improving customer experience, increasing spend, sharpening merchandising and making the most of the Christmas opportunity.

The evening will also feature a special guest conversation with Rachel Doyle, founder of Arboretum Home & Garden Heaven – “The Retail Pioneer Who Beat the Odds.” Rachel is one of Ireland’s most respected independent retailers, former President of the International Garden Centre Association and recipient of the Retail Excellence Lifetime Achievement Award.

Her business generates an annual turnover of approximately €17 million and employs around 170 people across three locations. Its flagship 10-acre site is located in Carlow, and it has recently invested €4.5 million in the redevelopment of its Kilquade branch. The company was named National Retailer of the Year in 2021 and has also demonstrated a strong commitment to sustainability, with a recent solar energy project generating electricity savings equivalent to powering 70 three-bedroom homes.

Rachel will share the story behind one of Ireland’s most successful independent retail businesses and the lessons she has learned around resilience, innovation, customer focus and continual reinvention.

The emphasis throughout will be on practical takeaways. Participants should leave with multiple ideas, tips and examples they can apply immediately during Christmas trading and beyond.

Agenda

• 19:00 – 19.15 Opening and Welcome by LEO
• 19:15 – 19.45 Winning at Business in Kinsale and Maximising Christmas 2026 (James Burke)
• 19:45 – 20.15 From Selling Plants from a Garage in Carlow to Building one of Irelands Most Successful Destination Retail Businesses (Rachel Doyle)
• 20:15 – 20.45 Q&A
• 20:45 – 21.00 Close

This event is fully funded by Cork County Council through the Local Enterprise Offices Cork North and West and Cork South, to support local businesses.