1965 – Todco, Grafton Street, Dublin

At the corner of Grafton Street and Lemon Street, now completely unrecognisable after being redeveloped. Todco was originally Todd Burns & Co. and based in a landmark building on Henry Street. In 1967 Galen Weston took control of the company which traded from 1967 to 1969 under his direction. The trading was not very profitable and by late 1968 it was decided that it was necessary to change its image and methods of doing business. In 1969 the name of the company was changed, and they began to trade under the name of “Penneys”. J.C. Penney of the United States objected to the use of what they claimed were their name. Following an injunction granted by the High Court of England in June 1974, their two shops in England were rebranded as Primark. However, the Penneys brand continued to be used in Ireland and Scotland.