€5m in grants to retail sector through Covid-19 Online Retail Scheme

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133 retailers across Ireland will receive funding via the scheme which aims to drive Irish retailers’ online sales at home and abroad.

Enterprise Ireland has provided €5m in grants to 133 Irish retailers under the Covid-19 Online Retail Scheme.

More than two-thirds (68pc) of successful applicants are located outside Dublin. Some 292 businesses applied for the scheme.

The Covid-19 Online Retail Scheme is targeted at retailers who already have an online presence to strengthen their online offering and enable them to reach a wider customer base.

Exploring e-commerce

Pictured at Geoghegans department store in Navan are Ross O’Colmain, Department Manager, Enterprise Ireland, Minister Damien English, Siobhan Geoghegan, Managing Director, Geoghegans of Navan and Derbhil Geoghegan, Director, Geoghegans of Navan. Photo: Maxwells

“We know that consumers are keen to support their local retailers when shopping instore and online, and these grants will help businesses to really maximise the opportunities in the e-commerce market,” said Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Damien English, TD.

“Of course, this market is not limited by geography and we know that ambitious Irish businesses with strong online resources also have their eyes on selling to customers right across the globe.

“The economic value of operating in the ecommerce space and its convenience for customers has come to the fore since the onset of Covid-19 and the Online Retail Scheme will help companies improve and maximise their digital sales potential.

Under this Covid-19 competitive call, the successful applicants will receive funding ranging from €14,080 to €40,000 to strengthen their online offering. The average grant value is €37,500 and covers up to 80pc of project costs.

“The Covid-19 Online Retail Scheme continues to attract a large volume of applications from retailers and it’s clear that Irish businesses are keenly aware of the growing e-commerce opportunities both at home and abroad for online retail,” said Ross O’Colmain, Department Manager, Construction, Timber, Cleantech and Consumer, Enterprise Ireland. “Enterprise Ireland is committed to increasing the capability of Irish enterprises to increase their export sales.  

“Whether new to e-commerce or already operating a transactional website this scheme aims to facilitate a step change for each of the successful applicants in the operation of an efficient online sales platform that complements their physical stores.”

He added: “Ultimately, retailers who are investing in their online presence will be more resilient and better able to take advantage of evolving market opportunities.”

The Online Retail Scheme was open to Irish-based retailers with a physical store and a pre-existing online presence who employ 10 or more people.  In addition, the scheme focuses on retailers predominantly selling products to individual consumers as opposed to those selling mainly to business customers. Grants can be used to fund fees for service providers, develop and implement a digital strategy supported by in-house training and enhance the retailer’s website.

The scheme is complementary to the Trading Online Voucher Scheme by the Local Enterprise Offices that offers funding of €2,500 to businesses of up to 10 employees.

The 133 retailers awarded funding, operate across a broad spectrum of sectors including jewellery, fashion, sports, homeware and furniture, healthcare, electrical goods and equipment.

One example of a retailer who has used the scheme is Siobhan Geoghegan, managing director of Geoghegan’s department store in Navan, Co Meath.

“The pandemic has highlighted the importance of a strong online presence for our business and this scheme has enabled us to accelerate our online plans, allowing us to bring our excellent customer service from 70 years of retail experience online. We are excited to continue building on our digital offering to further complement and evolve the business in the future.”

Main image at top: Pictured at Geoghegans department store in Navan are Minister Damien English, Siobhan Geoghegan, Managing Director, Geoghegans of Navan, Larry Geoghegan, Director, Geoghegans of Navan, Derbhil Geoghegan, Director, Geoghegans of Navan and Ross O’Colmain, Department Manager, Enterprise Ireland. Photo: Maxwells

List of 133 approved companies under Covid-19 Online Retail Scheme:

By John Kennedy (john.kennedy3@boi.com)

Published: 30 June 2021