The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar TD, this week announced the list of successful applicants approved for funding through the Covid-19 Online Retail Scheme, which is administered by Enterprise Ireland.
183 retailers have been approved for €6.5m in funding as part of the scheme, which is targeted at retailers to strengthen their online offering and enable them to reach a wider customer base.
Among the successful applicants were four members of Ennis Chamber. We offer warm congratulations to Patrick Bourke Menswear, Seoidín, O’Connor’s Confectionery and Rochfords Pharmacy.
We also extend congratulations to the other successful local applicants including The Belleek Shop, O’Sullivan’s Pharmacy (O’Connell Street, Ennis) and Torpey Wood Products Limited. County Clare did particularly well and this bodes well for the future growth of these businesses through an improved online offering.
The value of the scheme, which received 373 applications, was increased from €2m to €6.5m due to the high level of demand among 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, Leo Varadkar TD said: “The Government has put a wide range of financial measures in place to help businesses respond to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Covid-19 Online Retail Scheme was introduced back in April to help indigenous Irish retailers to get better established online – which was essential to get through the crisis and is even more important now as they seek to expand their customer base for the future.
He added, “Competition is no longer local. If our businesses want to be competitive today and in the longer term, we need to see more Irish retailers fully embrace the digital opportunity. That is why I am pleased to announce that Enterprise Ireland will open a 2nd Call under the Covid-19 Online Retail Scheme in the coming weeks.
Eligible retail enterprises that have not applied or have not been successful in this call,are encouraged to apply for funding in the next call for applications, details of which will be published shortly.
Julie Sinnamon, CEO, Enterprise Ireland said, “Many of our smaller retailers are selling quality, in-demand products and services that appeal to international customers and they are now taking the opportunity to further invest in their digital presence and to compete on a global basis.
This will help strengthen their foundations to withstand future challenges, including those that are likely to arise as a result of Brexit.”
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