The new shop, one of the biggest in the region, has a staff of 30 and extends to 25,000sq ft including a 7,000sq ft garden centre. The company has doubled its retail outlets in 12 months and plans to open another three shops in 2007.

"We are investing 10 million in new stores. It establishes the business as the fastest-growing player in the market, " a company spokesman said. "We open in Macroom in Co Cork in January, Ashbourne in Co Meath in February and Ballincollig, Co Cork, towards the end of next year.

"DIY is one of the fastestgrowing sectors, with sales increasing 8% year on year for the past four years on the trot. Retail capacity has doubled from 1.2 million to 2.4 million square feet between 2003 and 2006."

The 4Home strategy also embraces franchising as an important growth driver. "A key part of our growth plans is to take on the franchise model and create the first fully-fledged DIY/Homewares offering in this sector of the market, " the spokesman said.

"We are in talks with a number of potential franchisees and analysing suitable locations for our continued expansion."

4Home Superstores was launched in 2004 as part of Dairygold's plan to expand its presence in the home and garden market by rebranding its existing Co-op stores.

The new Carlow shop, at Sleatty Road, is adjacent to the Talbot Hotel and a new Dunnes Stores.

"We have shared parking for up to 150 cars; the garden centre is fully covered and with the new Dunnes literally next door it all heralds a new destination for shopping in Carlow, " said shop manager Thomas Mason.

"One of the areas we have worked hard on is our fantastic Christmas shop. It's like a store within a store and is the biggest selection of decorations, trees and lights around, " he added. "All our team have spent weeks training in all aspects of what we do and we are really delighted to be opening as the Christmas season kicks off."