Funding of €9.3m has been approved for more than 200 retailers under the Online Retail Scheme, administered by Enterprise Ireland.

Nearly three-quarters of the successful applicants (72%) are based outside Dublin. The scheme was open to retailers who have both an online presence and a physical store, and is targeted at enhancing their online capability to allow them to exploit opportunities and reach new customers.

"Retailers are at the heart of our communities across the country so the Government are delighted to support an additional 216 local businesses as they take this next step to increasing their sales capability by further developing their online offering," said Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail Damien English.

“Such diversification is an important part of future-proofing a business as it allows retailers to explore new opportunities and reach new customers, both domestically and internationally. 

"Through the Online Retail Scheme, we are enabling established retailers with a physical store the chance to compete for online sales that are currently going to businesses based outside the country."

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He added: “It is also pleasing to see that there has been a good spread of successful companies from around the country under this round of the Scheme with, 155 from the regions and 61 businesses based in Dublin.”

More than 700 retailers have been approved for funding totalling €28.3m through the scheme since 2017, with grants ranging from €10,000 to €64,000.

Jenny Melia, manager of technology and services at Enterprise Ireland, said: "Supporting businesses on their growth and exporting journey is a significant focus of our work at Enterprise Ireland.

"Supporting retailers through the Online Retail Scheme will increase their presence online and help them to compete for new sales and customers in the e-commerce market. 

"Ambitious Irish retailers are increasingly looking for ways to diversify their traditional retail model to reflect the shopping trends of modern consumers, and this was reflected in the significant interest in this latest call of the Online Retail Scheme.”

Niamh McMahon, owner of Flowerhill Furniture in Navan, Co Meath, which has been approved for funding under this call, said: “Flowerhill Furniture is family business which has had a physical retail presence for 40 years, and we are delighted to receive this grant from the Online Retail Scheme as it will support us on our digital journey as we continue to diversify our business. 

"By improving our online retail offering, not only will it enable us to strengthen our resilience and enhance the experience for our existing valued customers, but it will also support us to widen our customer base and reach new markets.”

The 216 companies approved for funding under the Online Retail Scheme

Photo: (l-r) Niamh McMahon, Damien English, and Jenny Melia.