Retail Ireland, welcomes the official opening for applications of a new online scheme.
'The goal is to support small retailers to improve their online presence,' the Irish Business and Employers Confederation (IBEC) that represents the retail sector said in a statement.
“While no single intervention will solve the challenge posed by the emergence of digital commerce in recent years to traditional bricks and mortar retailers, today’s announcement marks a significant step forward by Government in firstly acknowledging the challenge faced by the Irish retail sector and secondly by beginning to put in place supports for Ireland’s largest private sector employer," said Thomas Burke, director at Retail Ireland.
The Pilot Scheme
The pilot scheme, to be administered by Enterprise Ireland, seeks to support eligible SMEs (Small and medium-sized enterprises) to increase their customer base and build a more resilient business in the domestic and global marketplace, both online and offline.
“Retail Ireland has been calling for the provision of further supports for the retail sector over recent years in order to help the sector face the emerging online challenge," said Burke.
"Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphries TD, and her Department are to be commended for establishing this scheme which will help small retailers realise the potential within their businesses and place them on a stronger footing to address the many challenges arising from the digital world."
The initial €1,25 million scheme consists of a financial support of up to €25,000 to enable retailers to enhance their online presence.
© 2018 Checkout – your source for the latest Irish retail news. Article by Maria Cabecos. Click subscribe to sign up for the Checkout print edition.
