Minister Neale Richmond announces €2.3m in funding to enhance retailers’ online presence

• 98 retailers to receive €2.3m in grants through the Online Retail Scheme
• 79% of successful applicant companies are based outside of Dublin

Neale Richmond TD, Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, has today announced that 98 retailers have been approved for funding under the Online Retail Scheme (ORS), which is administered by Enterprise Ireland.

This latest call under the Scheme sees 98 retailers across all regions approved for funding of €2.3million, 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. The Scheme was open to retailers who already have an online presence and a physical store, to help enhance their online capability and attract new customers.

Welcoming the funding announcement Minister Richmond said:

“I want to congratulate the 98 retailers across Ireland who will benefit from this funding. 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.”

Teri Smith, Manager of Retail, Consumer and Online, Enterprise Ireland said:

“To date the Online Retail Scheme has supported more than 850 projects that are delivering real benefits to retailers and customers across Ireland.

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.

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.”

James Donlon, General Manager of Gino’s Gelato who hosted Minister Richmond at its outlet in Dundrum Town Centre said;

"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.

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.”

Including today’s 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.

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