€1.25m Online Retail Fund Enters Second Phase

The second phase of the Enterprise Ireland €1.25 million fund for online retailers has been announced, with applications set to open on Wednesday 19 June.

The Online Retail Scheme is aimed at helping firms encourage acceleration of their online offerings to increase competitiveness and scale their business into international markets. The money can be used to fund research, strategy development, implementation and training.

The pilot Scheme's second call is an initiative of the Government of Ireland and Enterprise Ireland and originates from the work of the Retail Consultation Forum. Under this second competitive call, successful Irish retailer applicants with the ambition to internationalise through a strengthened online offering can receive funding ranging from €10,000 to €25,000.

Announcing the second call, Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation Heather Humphreys TD said: "Retailing supports jobs in every city, town and village in the country and so it is critical that our retail sector is competing at the forefront of the digital revolution. Following the interest level and volume of applications received for the first call of the scheme, I am delighted to announce the opening of the second call for applications to support Irish retailers to develop and grow their online retail presence and effectively compete with international companies.

"Increasing the international sales of Irish companies translates into sustaining and creating high-quality, sustainable jobs across the country – something that this Government is firmly focused on through the Future Jobs Ireland framework. Aligned with this, the Online Retail Scheme is intended to enable Irish retailers to expand their reach to a wider customer base both at home and abroad."

Enterprise Ireland will administer the scheme through the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation. Head of Consumer at Enterprise Ireland Stephen Hughes commented: "The Scheme has been developed in response to the challenges currently faced by the retail sector in keeping up with consumers' ever-changing appetite for quick and easy consumption and the advances in digital capability. The fund will provide grants between €10,000 and €25,000 on a match fund basis with the purpose of enhancing their online offering. By delivering the Online Retail Scheme, we intend to support Irish retailers to innovate, and through innovation, increase their competitiveness and international reach."

Any Irish owned retail businesses with a physical retail outlet and 10 or more employees can apply. Applications will remain open for six weeks. The closing date is set for 3pm on Wednesday 31 July.



(JG)