eBay has launched a Retail Expansion programme that could benefit up to 50 SMEs.

The initiative is designed to support local Irish businesses reach new domestic and global audiences, opening up opportunities with 179 million buyers across the 190 markets in which eBay operates.

In 2018, there were 3.7 million listings from professional sellers in Ireland on eBay, with two-thirds of sales going overseas.

In partnership with Enterprise Ireland and the Design and Crafts Council, eBay invites selected small Irish businesses to use eBay.ie as a platform to extend their customer reach and compete on a global scale.

Teams at eBay will provide support selected number SMEs who want to start up or expand their online presence.

In Association with

eBay’s Derek Allgood commented: “This is the first time that eBay has launched a national programme, but given the success of similar schemes in cities such as Wolverhampton and Akron in Ohio, we are confident that this is going to open up a global window of new and extensive opportunities for SME’s right across the country.”

Deirdre Ui Chatmhaoil of Rí Na Mara said : “To have been selected by eBay and Enterprise Ireland means that we now have an opportunity to build our brand globally, which will help us to grow our business, drive sales and potentially, generate new jobs in the Connemara area.

“Rí Na Mara is now has an anchor store through eBay.ie and I am already seeing increased interest in the brand simply from our new listing. I now have access to language translation tools to publish our online content in multiple languages such as French, Spanish and German.”

Photo: Hazel Mitchell of eBay(left), Deirdre Ui Chatmhaoil and Stephen Hughes of Enterprise Ireland