Minister English announces €5m in grants to retail sector through Covid-19 Online Retail Scheme administered by Enterprise Ireland

• 133 retailers will receive funding via the scheme which aims to drive Irish retailers’ online sales at home and abroad
• 68% of successful applicants located outside Dublin

Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Damien English, has today announced the successful applicants approved for funding through the third call of the Covid-19 Online Retail Scheme, which is administered by Enterprise Ireland. 133 retailers have been approved €5M in funding as part of the scheme, which is targeted at retailers who already have an online presence to strengthen their online offering and enable them to reach a wider customer base.

The scheme received 292 applications. 68% of the successful applicants are located outside Dublin with 90 retailers from these regions approved for funding.

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 80% of project costs.

Minister Damien English TD said:“There has been a very positive response from the Irish retail sector to this call for applications under the Covid-19 Online Retail Scheme as Government continues to reach out and assist Irish businesses to transition and evolve as they trade through the impact of the pandemic.

“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 ecommerce market. 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.

“The Government continues to focus on helping businesses to get back on track in the coming months and as more of our workplaces and businesses reopen, in line with public health guidelines, we will do everything we can to support retailers in creating safe shopping spaces, in store and online, for customers and staff.”

Ross O’Colmain, Department Manager, Construction, Timber, Cleantech and Consumer, Enterprise Ireland added: “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. Enterprise Ireland is committed to increasing the capability of Irish enterprises to increase their export sales.

“Whether new to ecommerce 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.

“Grants through this scheme are being used by retailers to upgrade their systems to improve their digital presence and to become more competitive in the virtual marketplace. This is helping to broaden their customer base and grow sales with some companies reporting that they are recruiting extra staff as result.

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

Siobhan Geoghegan, Managing Director of Geoghegan’s department store in Navan said:“We are delighted to get grant funding through the Covid-19 Online Retail Scheme. 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.”

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.

Photos will be issued by Maxwell Photography and are available on request

About Enterprise Ireland:

Enterprise Ireland is the Irish State agency that works with Irish enterprises to help them start, grow, innovate and win export sales in global markets. Enterprise Ireland partners with entrepreneurs, Irish businesses, and the research and investment communities to develop Ireland’s international trade, innovation, leadership and competitiveness. In this way, we support sustainable economic growth and regional development, and help create and sustain employment in Ireland. www.enterprise-ireland.com

About the Covid-19 Online Retail Scheme:

Supporting the Irish retail sector to embed a more sophisticated online trading (e-tailing) strategy in its business model can contribute to the continued viability of a cohort of retail companies affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and help position them for recovery. Applicant companies must be an Irish-based retail enterprise that had 10 or more employees on or before 29 February 2020 and has the potential to sustain or create jobs, generate growth in online transactions and with an ambition to internationalise their business in future.

The business must also:

• have an existing online presence (e.g. website or social media)
• have a retail outlet and derive the majority of revenue from retailing products directly to individual consumers:
  • Where a company provides both products and services, the applicant must provide a breakdown of sales revenue showing that products account for more than 50% of total revenue for a recent trading period, which may be up to the call close date;
  • Where a company has a mixture of business-to-consumer (B2C) and business-to-business (B2B) operations, the applicant must provide a breakdown of sales revenue showing that sales from B2C activities account for more than 50% of total revenue for a recent trading period, which may be up to the call close date;
• Must employ at least 10 employees in the Republic of Ireland (on a full-time equivalent basis on or before 29 February 2020)

The Scheme originated in the work of the Retail Consultation Forum which is chaired by the Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, Damien English T.D.

Building on two previous successful calls of the Covid19 Online Retail Scheme, introduced by the Department arising from the work of the Retail Consultation Forum, applications for the 2021 scheme were open to indigenous retailers to develop a more competitive online offer in response to the Covid-19 crisis and to strengthen business resilience.

List of 133 approved companies under Covid-19 Online Retail Scheme (click here to download the list in MSWord format):

Company Name, Trading As, County
1 Agri-Auto Parts (Kerry) Ltd Kerry
2 Aidan Clarke And Company Ltd Cavan
3 Aines Boutique Ltd Longford
4 Anjnj Ltd ITSTAR Dublin
5 Anthony Nicholas Ltd Fields Retail Ltd Dublin
6 Ar Pharmacies Ltd Crowley's Pharmacy Cork
7 Ardkeen Superstores Ltd Ardkeen Quality Food Store Waterford
8 Ard-Ri Marble Mantelpieces Ltd Fitzgibbon Interiors Kerry
9 Aurivo Co-Operative Society Ltd Homeland Retail Stores Sligo
10 Avondale Landscapes Ltd Wicklow
11 Badger Home Furnishings Ltd MacCarthy Interiors Cork
12 Ballinlough O'Sullivans Pharmacy Ltd O'Sullivans Pharmacy Cork
13 Ballybofey Autofactors Ltd Donegal
14 Bellababy Ltd Bella Baby Ltd Galway
15 Best Unltd Company BEST MENSWEAR Dublin
16 Boles Of Boyle Ltd Roscommon
17 Brian De Staic Teoranta Brian de Staic Jewellers Kerry
18 Brightsont Ltd Discount Supplements Wicklow
19 Brockvale Ltd Stephen Street News / CraftCentral.ie Dublin
20 Byron Distributors Ltd Paul Byron Shoes Roscommon
21 Cara Pharmacy Unltd Company Donegal
22 Conways Sligo Bookshop Ltd "Eason Sligo", "The Hobby Shop" and "Sligo Schoolbooks" Sligo
23 Deerhaven Jervis Ltd Fun Place Dublin
24 Dermot Kehoe Supply & D.I.Y. Ltd Wexford
25 Designer Exchange Ltd Dublin
26 Designist Innovators Ltd Designist Dublin
27 Desino Ltd Jenny's Boutique Meath
28 Drumrahan Retail Ltd Agri Direct Cavan
29 Evergreen Healthfoods Ltd Galway
30 Fagan Office Supplies Ltd Fagans Mullingar Westmeath
31 Fallon & Byrne Ltd Dublin
32 Fernhill Garden Centre Ltd Westmeath
33 Fishers of Newtownmountkennedy Ltd Wicklow
34 Flanagans Interiors Ltd FlanaganKerins Wicklow
35 Furbo Sandfield Ltd McCambridge's of Galway Galway
36 Geoghegans Navan Ltd Meath
37 Gerry Matthews Engineering Ltd Toolfix Louth
38 Graham Shoes Ltd Dublin
39 Greenacres (Wexford) Ltd Green Acres Wexford
40 Greenaer Mobility Ltd Dublin
41 Greenes Hardware & Farm Supplies Ltd Galway
42 Greggs Ltd Card Gallery Dublin
43 Gym Plus Coffee Ltd Dublin
44 H P Corrigan Ltd Corrigan's Pharmacy Dublin
45 Heavins Hardware Centre Ltd Westmeath
46 Heels and Wardrobe Ltd Wardrobe Plus Wicklow
47 Hores Stores Ltd Wexford
48 Horkans Garden Centre Ltd Mayo
49 J. Mckenna Ltd Kerry
50 J.R.G. Investment Company Ltd Galvin For Men Westmeath
51 Janet Dillon Pharmacy Ltd Dublin
52 Jenhel Retail Company Ltd The Baby Shop Cork
53 Joe Simon Building Supplies Ltd Joe Simon Home Garden & Build and Expert Electrical Roscommon
54 John Mcelhinney Unltd Company McElhinney's Donegal
55 Juvi Ltd Dublin
56 K & K Windows Ltd Wexford
57 K.K. Interiors Ltd Kavanagh's Dublin
58 Kilquade Patio Centre Ltd Meath
59 Kjt Motors Ltd Fairyhouse Motors Meath
60 Lampai An Daingean Teoranta Louis Mulcahy Pottery Kerry
61 Lusk Motor Factors Ltd SMF Dublin
62 M & G Walshpharm Hacketstown Ltd Carlow
63 Mangan Pharmacies Ltd Mangan Pharmacy Kildare
64 Manstelt Ltd McGreals Wicklow
65 Marella Fashions Ltd Ela Maria Limerick
66 Matthew Britton Carpets Ltd Wicklow
67 Mc Laughlin Motor Factors Ltd Donegal
68 Mcdowells Jewellers Ltd Dublin
69 Mcgregor Homefront Ltd Cork
70 Mckenna Man Holdings Ltd McKenna Man Louth
71 Meagher'S Pharmacy Online Sales Ltd Dublin
72 Medipharm Retail Holdings Ltd Medipharm Dublin
73 Meubles (Ireland) Ltd Kilkenny
74 Midland Hardware Ltd Laois
75 Mike Walsh Pharmacy Ltd Cork
76 Milltown Pharmacy Ltd WonderBaba Dublin
77 Mitchell & Son, Wine Merchants, Ltd Dublin
78 Mm Wellington Ltd Neville Jewellers Cork
79 Molloy Holdings Ltd Molloys Liquor Stores Dublin
80 Monica Tolan Beauty & Skincare Clinics Ltd Dublin
81 Mulligans Chemist Ltd Mulligans Pharmacy Waterford
82 Murphy's Ice Cream Ltd Kerry
83 Murray and Son, Ltd Cork
84 N & D Pharmacy Ltd True Pharmacy Dublin
85 National Tile Ltd Louth
86 Navan Hire Hardware & Safety Training Ltd Meath
87 Ncdc Pharmacy Ltd Glengarriff Pharmacy Cork
88 Noel Fay Fitted Furniture Ltd The Carpentry Store Kildare
89 O Coileáin Foods Company Ltd The Scarlet Heifer Dublin
90 O' Reilly Mescall Ltd Reads Design & Print Dublin
91 O'Briens Wine Off-Licence Unltd Company Dublin
92 O'Leary Opticians Ltd Mairead O'Leary Opticians Dublin
93 O'Meara'S Nursery & Garden Centre Ltd Westmeath
94 Omg Entertainment Ltd Galway
95 Orielglen Trading Ltd Arthur Mallon's Food Hall Monaghan
96 Oyster Motors Ltd Jody's Spar Craughwell Galway
97 Patrick J. Lavelle (Chemist) Ltd Mayo
98 Pauls Ltd Kilkenny
99 Perry Street Market Cafe Ltd Cork
100 Pet Food Depot Ltd Dublin
101 Petworld Stores (Letterkenny) Ltd Donegal
102 Pharmadirect Distribution Ltd Pharmadirect.ie & Sheahan's Pharmacy (Killarney) Kerry
103 Pixsavers Ltd Kildare
104 Poleglen Ltd Rochford's Pharmacy Clare
105 Polka Dots & Pinstripes Ltd Ruby Rouge Wexford
106 Preps 2007-1 Public Ltd Company Dublin
107 Procrop Ireland Ltd HLS Meath
108 Project Tile Design Ltd Project Dublin
109 R. A. Tierney & Company Ltd Tierneys Gifts Dublin
110 Rolsford Ltd McSport Dublin
111 Rooms and Blooms Ltd Wexford
112 Rosscarbery Pharmacy Ltd Cork
113 Sana Digital Solutions Ltd Cottage Pharmacy Louth
114 Savins Music Centre Ltd Limerick
115 Sayerscourt (Grafton Street) Ltd Health Matters Dublin
116 Seamus Quinn and Sons Ltd Adamsons Quinn Pharmacy Mayo
117 Spinnaker Marine Ltd Viking Marine Dublin
118 Spirit Clothing Ltd Longford
119 Sundrive Pharmacy Ltd McSharrys Pharmacy Galway
120 The American Candle Company Ltd Yankee's Galway
121 The County Boutique Unltd Company Clare
122 The Cycle Superstore Ltd Dublin
123 The General Health Food Store (Dublin) Ltd Nourish Dublin
124 The Hopsack Ltd Dublin
125 Thomas Lenehan & Co., Ltd Lenehans Hardware Dublin
126 Tony Kealy Ltd Dublin
127 Trant'S Pharmacy Ltd Kerry
128 Tullys Pharmacy (Castlerea) Ltd Tullys Totalhealth Pharmacy Roscommon
129 Tynestyle Trading Ltd Here's Health Cork
130 Vaughan Footwear Ltd Vaughan Shoes Mayo
131 Whelehans Wines Ltd Dublin
132 Winelab Ltd Kildare
133 Xmusic Ireland Ltd Dublin