€2.3m in funding to boost Irish retailers’ online presence

98 retailers across Ireland to receive €2.3m in grants through the Online Retail Scheme.

Almost 100 retailers have been approved for funding under the Online Retail Scheme (ORS).

This latest call under the Scheme sees 98 retailers across all regions approved for funding of €2.3m, with 79% of successful companies based outside of Dublin.

The businesses will receive grants ranging from a minimum of €10,000 to a maximum of €25,000, with nearly half (46%) of all successful applicants benefitting for the first time.

Online capabilities

The Scheme, which is administered by Enterprise Ireland, was open to retailers who already have an online presence and a physical store, to help enhance their online capability and attract new customers.

“I want to congratulate the 98 retailers across Ireland who will benefit from this funding,” said Neale Richmond, TD, Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. “Retailers are at the heart of our communities across the country and the Government is delighted to support them in their transition to online retail.

“An online presence allows retailers to improve their service for existing customers, attract new customers at home and abroad, as well as future-proof their operations. Moving online is a complement, rather than a replacement to physical stores. Through the Online Retail Scheme, we are enabling established retailers with a store to expand their market presence beyond their community, and even the country, with an increased online presence.

“It is great to see a geographical spread of successful retail companies from around the country under this round of the Scheme, with 77 successful applications from the regions and 21 businesses based in Dublin.”

Including the latest cohort of successful applicants, since 2018 more than 850 projects from retailers based in Ireland have been approved for €30.7m in funding through the Government’s Online Retail Scheme.

“Innovative Irish retailers are increasingly looking for ways to adapt their traditional retail model to reflect the growing demand for online shopping from consumers and this latest funding round will help 98 retailers in that ambition,” explained Teri Smith, manager of Retail, Consumer and Online at Enterprise Ireland.

“In this funding call we specifically sought applications from businesses which hadn’t previously benefitted from the Scheme, and we’re delighted that a large number of first-time applicants engaged with the Scheme this year.”

Recipients from this latest call are located throughout Ireland and are from a number of Retail sectors, including hardware, pharmacy, clothing, and furniture. 

“As an Irish-owned and operated business we are delighted to receive this financial support to help us grow our digital presence and increase online sales opportunity,” said James Donlon, general manager of Gino’s Gelato who hosted Minister Richmond at its outlet in Dundrum Town Centre.

“Having recently celebrated 15 years in business we see a huge change in the retail landscape and have worked hard to establish a trusted, quality physical brand among our consumers across Ireland.  We are excited to grow the Gino’s Gelato brand further into the digital space.

“We’re looking forward to begin the next phase of our online growth and the Online Retail Scheme will certainly assist us with that ambition into 2024,” Donlon said.

Main image at top:

Minister Neale Richmond, TD, with Teri Smith of Enterprise Ireland and Bhagyesh Shingwekar of Gino’s Gelato