Up to €40k in grants available for digital strategies

By Maurice Garvey

Retailers can apply for grants of between €10,000 and €40,000 to fund the development of digital strategies and boost e-commerce offerings.

The €5.5m Covid-19 Online Retail Scheme is part of the Government’s July stimulus package.

 

It will be administered by Enterprise Ireland to support retail businesses as they look to enhance their digital capability, drive online sales and grow their customer bases.

The scheme targets indigenous retailers with a pre-existing online presence and aims to accelerate online offerings in response to domestic and international consumer demand.

Successful applicants will receive a grant for up to 80 per cent of project costs, ranging from €10,000 to a maximum of €40,000.

Speaking at the launch of the scheme this week, Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail Damien English said the Covid-19 pandemic continues to make funding “an urgent priority for businesses to accelerate the growth of their online offering.”

“For many retailers, developing their online sales channel for consumers has been a long-term goal prior to the pandemic. As minister, I am determined to support that ambition and assist our retailers to increase their digital presence and boost online sales, allowing them to target new and existing customers and shoppers in the online space,” he said.

English added that he has seen the positive impact that previous Online Retail Scheme grants have made on businesses around Ireland.

During the last call of the scheme, 183 retailers were awarded an­ average of €35,500 each.

Funding is available to retailers across a range of sectors including healthcare, jewellery, fashion, sports, homeware, furniture, electrical goods and equipment.

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