Tánaiste Leo Varadkar announces €6.5 million in grants to retail sector through COVID-19 Online Retail Scheme

• 183 retailers will receive funding via the scheme which aims to accelerate Irish retailers’ online offering and increase competitiveness
• three quarters of successful applicants located outside Dublin

The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar TD, has today (Thursday) announced the successful applicants approved for funding through the COVID-19 Online Retail Scheme, which is administered by Enterprise Ireland. 183 retailers have been approved for €6.5 million in funding as part of the scheme, which is targeted at online retailers to strengthen their online offering and enable them to reach a wider customer base.

Almost three quarters of the successful applicants are located outside Dublin with 130 retailers from these regions approved for funding.

The value of the scheme, which received 373 applications, was increased from €2 million to €6.5 million due to the high level of demand amongst retailers and the high quality of the proposals received. The Scheme helps Irish-owned retailers to strategically enhance their online sales capabilities, so they can be more competitive, sustain jobs and subsequently scale their businesses in international markets.

Under this COVID-19 competitive call, the successful applicants will receive funding ranging from €16,000 to €40,000 to strengthen their online offering. The average grant value is €35,500. Enterprise Ireland will be opening a 2nd Call under the COVID-19 Online Retail Scheme in the coming weeks.

The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar TD said:

Commenting, Julie Sinnamon, CEO, Enterprise Ireland said:

The 183 retailers awarded funding, operate across a broad spectrum of sectors including healthcare, jewellery, fashion, sports, homeware and furniture, electrical goods and equipment.

For further information please contact:

Brigid Burke, Press and Media Relations, Enterprise Ireland, 087 1803995 brigid.burke@enterprise-ireland.com

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-owned 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 (for example, website or social media)
• have a retail outlet and derive the majority of revenue from the retail outlet(s)
• 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 Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar TD.

Building on two previous successful calls of the pilot Online Retail Scheme, introduced by the department arising from the work of the Retail Consultation Forum, applications were open to indigenous retailers with a physical store and employing 10 or more people to develop a more competitive online offer in response to the COVID-19 crisis and to strengthen business resilience.

List of 183 Approved Companies under COVID-19 Online Retail Scheme

ENDS

The Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation (DBEI) plays a key role in implementing the government’s policies of stimulating the productive capacity of the economy and creating an environment which supports job creation and maintenance. The department has lead responsibility for Irish policy on global trade and inward investment and a remit to promote fair competition in the marketplace, protect consumers and safeguard workers.

For further information, members of the media can contact Press Office, D/Business, Enterprise and Innovation, press.office@dbei.gov.ie or (01) 631 2200.

If you no longer wish to receive emails from the Department of Business Enterprise and Innovation Press Office, please notify us by email to press.office@dbei.gov.ie

A comprehensive listing of supports, grants, and advice available to businesses affected by COVID-19 is available at dbei.gov.ie/coronavirus.https://dbei.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/COVID-19-supports/

Contact the Business Support Call Centre

The Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation has established a Business Support Call Centre for information on the business supports available to businesses and enterprises affected by COVID-19. It can be reached at infobusinesssupport@dbei.gov.ie or (01) 631 2002.