Eason is creating 50 new jobs this year with the opening of four new franchise stores.

The company is the largest retail and wholesale, book, news and stationery operator in  Ireland.

The latest franchise store to open its doors is at the Parkway Shopping Centre in Limerick.

Another one was opened in Listowel, Co. Kerry earlier this year.

While 2 more stores set to open in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal and Fermoy in Co. Cork before the year is out.

It is part of a €20 million investment programme announced last year.

Eason opened its first franchise in Monaghan in 2005 and currently the company has a network of 23 franchises trading under the Eason name.

The company has 60 stores throughout the island of Ireland and employs over 1,000 people.