One of the happiest outcomes of attending Showcase, the annual trade fair of curated Irish products, is that I also get to shop Dublin’s robust retail scene. Brown Thomas is at the top of my must-see list.
During Showcase, which takes place in mid-January each year, Valentine’s Day is always the focus of this department store’s visual display. And it’s always a treat to see.
This year, displays were more low-key than in the past. For example, there were fewer hearts and balloons (though I loved the glowing hearts hanging from the ceilings). However, there was a killer theme: Tokens of Affection. It ran through beauty, makeup, candies, candles, greeting cards and scents, accompanied by a palette of reds and pinks that showed up in many other products targeted to both women and men.
Below are a few of my favorite Valentine’s Day products and displays, snapped at Brown Thomas’s Grafton Street location just a couple of weeks ago. Among the chocolates, note the conventional alternative from HiP, a Cookies No Cream chocolate bar made with oat milk. The bar is vegan and made with climate-friendly cocoa that is ethically sourced.
