A total of 29 retailers have been awarded €659,550 in funding as part of the €1.25m fund, which is targeted at online retailers to strengthen their online offering to enable them to reach a wider customer base.
Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys TD, recently announced the recipients of the second call of the pilot Online Retail Scheme, which is administered by Enterprise Ireland.
The Online Retail Scheme was introduced by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation as part of the ongoing work of the Retail Consultation Forum, which Minister Humphreys chairs. The Scheme recipients were announced by the Minister today at the Retail Consultation Forum meeting in Dublin.
The Scheme’s purpose is to support Irish retailers to strategically enhance their online sales capabilities to increase competitiveness and subsequently scale their businesses in international markets.
Under this second competitive call, the successful applicants will receive funding ranging from €10,000 to €25,000 to strengthen their online offering.
Speaking at the Retail Consultation Forum meeting, Minister Humphreys said: “As part of the Government’s Future Jobs Ireland framework, the pilot Online Retail Scheme is an important initiative to ensure that our retail businesses can remain competitive in a changing world where traditional business operations are increasingly being disrupted by new technology.”
She added: “Supporting the retail sector is critical to sustaining a robust regional economy, which my Department is committed to, particularly in the context of Brexit and the challenges that lie ahead. Increasing the international sales of Irish retailers through the online channel translates into sustaining and creating high-quality, sustainable jobs across the country.
The 29 retailers awarded funding, operate across a broad spectrum of sectors including healthcare, jewellery, fashion, sports, audio visual technology and marine equipment are:
• Louis Copeland & Sons, Dublin
• Vaughan Footwear Limited, Mayo
• QCSG Limited t/a Byrnes Books & Toys, Wexford
• Appleby Jewellers Limited, Dublin
• Meaghers Pharmacy Online Sales Limited, Dublin
• Lifestyle Sports (Ireland) Limited, Dublin
• Cordar Pharmacy Limited, Mayo
• Desino Limited t/a Jennys Boutique, Meath
• Jack Layden Enterprises (Basecamp), Dublin
• RQ Audio Visual Limited, Dublin
• Designer Exchange Limited, Dublin
• Aran Sweater Market Limited, Kerry
• LGM Developments Limited, Sligo
• Anthony Ryan Limited, Galway
• R.A. Tierney & Co Limited, Dublin
• Kerrigan’s Factory Shop Limited, Dublin
• Stauntons Pharmacy Limited, Mayo
• Spinnaker Marine Limited t/a Viking Marine, Dublin
• Organico Shop, Café & Bakery Limited, Cork
• Wembar Company, Dublin
• CH Tralee, Kerry
• Flairline Fashions Limited, Dublin
• Seaclaidi Na Sceilige Teoranta, Kerry
• Ted Johnson Limited, Kildare
• Greenes Letterkenny Limited, Donegal
• Caseys Furniture, Cork
• Yarn Vibes, a subsidiary of Vibes and Scribes, Cork
• Glenmac LK Limited, Donegal
• Mulligans Chemist Limited, Waterford