The Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment (DETE) has extended the Online Retail Scheme. It’s a competitive fund that was created following the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on retail businesses and this year has a total fund size of €3.4 million. In 2022, 216 retailers were awarded with €9.29 million in funding.
The purpose of the fund is to support the digitalisation of Irish-based retailers with a pre-existing online presence, help them respond to domestic and international consumer demand for online shopping, help smaller retailers, and protect their physical operations. Applications are now open and will close on the 3rd of May 2023 at 12pm for online applications.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must be Irish based retail businesses that have 10 or more full-time employees and have an existing online presence. They must also have the potential to sustain or create jobs, generate growth in online transactions and have an ambition to internationalise their business in future. There are other criteria that applicants must adhere to which are on the Enterprise Ireland website.
How Do I Apply?
It’s a 2-stage process consisting of an online application form through the portal on Enterprise Ireland’s website, and an email submission of the company’s most recent full year of Statutory Accounts. As it’s a competitive offer, it’s important that applications are submitted in full and on time. More information can be found here.
How Do I Find Out More?
The Enterprise Ireland website has all the details you need. Remember, it’s important to submit everything correctly and before the deadline. Ever since the closure of physical premises during the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for the digitalisation of businesses has continued to grow while our shopping habits have changed over the past few years. If you already have a website, make sure you’re getting the most out of it and bringing in as many customers worldwide as possible with a domain name, professional email address and shopping options.