News & Events

Tánaiste Leo Varadkar announces €6.5m in grants to retail sector through Covid-19 Online Retail Scheme

  • 183 retailers will receive funding via the scheme which aims to accelerate Irish retailers’ online offering and increase competitiveness

  • Three quarters of successful applicants located outside Dublin

The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar TD, has today (Thursday) announced the 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 online retailers to strengthen their online offering and enable them to reach a wider customer base.

Almost three quarters of the successful applicants are located outside Dublin with 130 retailers from these regions approved for funding.

The value of the scheme, which received 373 applications, was increased from €2m to €6.5m due to the high level of demand amongst 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 and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, 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.

This €6.5m fund will enable 183 Irish retailers to boost their online capability and grow their business offering. 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.

The new Government’s job over the next few weeks and months is to help businesses get back on track in every way we can. As our workplaces and businesses reopen, we must help our country recover, repair the damage that has been done, and restore confidence and prosperity. The July Jobs Stimulus will be radical and far-reaching and will set our economy on the right course for the next five years and beyond.

 Commenting, Julie Sinnamon, CEO, Enterprise Ireland said:

The Covid-19 Online Retail Scheme attracted the highest number of applications we have received through this scheme to date. This reflects the desire of indigenous Irish businesses to maximise and expand their reach beyond the physical shop and local high street and to grow their potential target market.

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.

I would encourage any eligible retail enterprises that have not applied or have not been successful in this call, to apply for funding in the next call for applications, details of which will be published shortly.

The 183 retailers awarded funding, operate across a broad spectrum of sectors including healthcare, jewellery, fashion, sports, homeware and furniture, electrical goods and equipment.

For further information please contact:

Brigid Burke, Press and Media Relations, Enterprise Ireland, 087 1803995 brigid.burke@enterprise-ireland.com

About Enterprise Ireland:

Enterprise Ireland is the Irish State agency that works with Irish enterprises to help them start, grow, innovate and win export sales in global markets. Enterprise Ireland partners with entrepreneurs, Irish businesses, and the research and investment communities to develop Ireland’s international trade, innovation, leadership and competitiveness.  In this way, we support sustainable economic growth and regional development, and help create and sustain employment in Ireland.  www.enterprise-ireland.com

About the Covid-19 Online Retail Scheme:

Supporting the Irish retail sector to embed a more sophisticated online trading (e-tailing) strategy in its business model can contribute to the continued viability of a cohort of retail companies affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and help position them for recovery. Applicant companies must be an Irish-owned retail enterprise that had 10 or more employees on or before 29 February 2020 and has the potential to sustain or create jobs, generate growth in online transactions and with an ambition to internationalise their business in future.

The business must also: • have an existing online presence (e.g. website or social media) • have a retail outlet and derive the majority of revenue from the retail outlet(s) • Must employ at least 10 employees in the Republic of Ireland (on a full-time equivalent basis on or before 29 February 2020)

The Scheme originated in the work of the Retail Consultation Forum which is chaired by the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar TD.

Building on two previous successful calls of the pilot Online Retail Scheme, introduced by the Department arising from the work of the Retail Consultation Forum, applications were open to indigenous retailers with a physical store and employing 10 or more people to develop a more competitive online offer in response to the Covid-19 crisis and to strengthen business resilience.

 

List of 183 Approved Companies under Covid-19 Online Retail Scheme

 

Company Name

County

Brian de Staic Teoranta

Kerry

Jack Layden Enterprises Limited

Dublin

Corrigan Pharmacy Holdings Limited

Dublin

Air-Impact Limited

Tipperary

The Belleek Shop (Ennis) Limited

Clare

Ryan Equine Limited

Tipperary

Ballygarvan Nurseries Limited

Cork

Ballybeggan Tiles Limited

Westmeath

Carrolls Irish Gifts Unlimited Company

Dublin

Arboretum Garden Centre Limited

Carlow

McNallys Pharmacy 365 Limited

Cavan

Fernhill Garden Centre Limited

Westmeath

Baggot Street Wines Limited

Dublin

Gym Plus Coffee Limited

Dublin

Fishers of Newtownmountkennedy Limited

Wicklow

Golden Disc Group Limited

Dublin

Dominic Smith Electrical Limited

Wexford

Weir & Sons Unlimited Company

Dublin

Campbell Tiles Limited

Dublin

Cara Pharmacy Unlimited Company

Donegal

Compu B Retail Limited

Dublin

David Cullen Jewellers Limited

Dublin

Sortatron Limited

Westmeath

Moriarty (Gap of Dunloe) Industries Limited

Kerry

Musicmaker Limited

Dublin

Glynn's (Tuam) Limited

Galway

BEST MENSWEAR

Dublin

Geoghegans Navan Limited

Meath

Dublin Best Tile LTD

Waterford

The Outdoor Adventure Store (Liffey Street) Limited

Wicklow

Staunton Sports Limited

Mayo

The Sweater Shop (Kilkenny) Limited

Dublin

Advanced Coating Technology Limited

Carlow

Blarney Woollen Mills Limited

Cork

DPB Meats Limited

Dublin

Dwyers (Drogheda) Limited

Louth

Ivy Books Limited

Dublin

Petstop Limited

Dublin

Shaw & Sons Limited

Laois

Fallon & Byrne Limited

Dublin

K.B. Retail (Cork) Limited

Cork

CALLISTOY LIMITED

Dublin

Cash & Carry Kitchens Limited

Cork

Donal, Liam & Siobhan Sheahan (T/A Pharmadirect.ie)

Kerry

Edward Donnellan & Company Limited

Roscommon

Gibson Farm Services Limited

Donegal

The Butler's Pantry (Holdings) Limited

Wicklow

Fauville Limited

Kerry

Fresh Opportunities Limited

Dublin

Ganly's Hardware & Heating Limited

Roscommon

Home Appliances Unlimited Company

Dublin

John McElhinney Unlimited Company

Donegal

Stephen Faller (1879) Limited

Galway

Inish Health (Muff) Limited

Donegal

Logues Limited

Galway

Maximus SOS Limited

Dublin

Rath-Wood Home and Garden World Limited

Wicklow

Seoidín Limited

Clare

Torpey Wood Products Limited

Clare

Appleby Jewellers Limited

Dublin

Esquire Limited

Dublin

Malstal Limited

Donegal

Petmania Limited

Kilkenny

Stakelums Hardware Limited

Tipperary

Ann Gillespie Beauty Solutions Limited

Sligo

Paraffin Store Limited

Kerry

Heavins Hardware Centre Limited

Westmeath

Beauty Savers International Limited

Dublin

Comsec Protection Systems Limited

Dublin

FitzGerald Menswear Limited

Waterford

R.A. Kee & Sons Limited

Donegal

TC Matthews Carpets Limited

Dublin

Walsh Interiors Limited

Dublin

BBowes Limited

Sligo

Paul Sheeran Jewellers (JohnSonsCourt) Limited

Dublin

Tony Kealy Limited

Dublin

Archers Street Investments Limited

Kilkenny

Carey Tool Hire Limited

Cork

Clydaville Investments Limited

Kerry

Colgan Distributors Limited

Offaly

Iscourt Limited

Donegal

Waltons Music Limited

Dublin

Amogan Limited

Limerick

Graham Shoes Limited

Dublin

Horkans Pet World Limited

Mayo

McSharrys Pharmacy (Holdings) Limited

Galway

Mellmac Pharmacy Fermoy Limited

Cork

Shoelink (Ireland) Limited

Cork

Total Care Pharmacy Limited

Louth

Wembar Company Unlimited Company

Dublin

Ardkeen Superstores Limited

Waterford

Washglade Unlimited Company

Westmeath

Eamon P. Tierney Limited

Donegal

Frank McGowan & Co. Limited

Dublin

Safara Limited

Tipperary

Anthony Nicholas Limited

Dublin

Joseph Hanley Limited

Galway

Floor Design Limited

Dublin

Heels and Wardrobe Limited

Wicklow

J.R.G. Investment Company Limited

Westmeath

Solus Junction Unlimited Company

Galway

Kube LMR Limited

Dublin

O'Connors Confectionery (Ennis) Limited

Clare

Teeling Pharmacies Limited

Sligo

Minneolo Limited

Offaly

A. Hartmann & Son Limited

Galway

Amphibian King Limited

Wicklow

Auburn Pharmacy Limited

Westmeath

Baldoyle Blinds Limited

Dublin

Mizenhead Sales Limited

Cork

Murphy's Liquidation Furiture Limited

Wicklow

OSPG Limited

Clare

Rivergrove Retail Limited

Kerry

Pauls Limited

Kilkenny

Patrick Bourke (Ennis) Limited

Clare

Pat McDonnell, Paint Sales Unlimited Company

Cork

Despat Limited

Cork

Lampai an Daingean Teoranta

Kerry

Riverdale Pharmacy Limited

Cork

The Art & Hobby Shop Limited

Dublin

The Luxury Confectionery Company Limited

Cork

Tadhg O'Connor Limited

Limerick

Daniel Harrington & Son Limited

Cork

Lee James Menswear Limited

Cork

Equipet Retail Limited

Meath

Mckenna Man Holdings Limited

Louth

Aideil Limited

Cork

Perfect Ring Limited

Dublin

Bandon Medical Hall Limited

Cork

City Tiles & Bathrooms Limited

Cork

Cummins Sports Limited

Cork

Dublin Food Cooperative Society Ltd

Dublin

Organico Shop, Cáfe & Bakery Limited

Cork

Poleglen Limited

Clare

Thomas Sheehy and Company Limited

Cork

T.F. Fleming Limited

Monaghan

McElligotts Limited

Kerry

Dermot Casey Hire & Sales Limited

Cork

Ecopipe (IRL) Limited

Dublin

Fastfix (Holdings) Limited

Louth

TRANIO INVESTMENTS LIMITED

Cork

Ultra-Vision Opticians Limited

Leitrim

W.H. Good Limited

Kilkenny

Greenacres (Wexford) Limited

Wexford

Sally Sesame Limited

Galway

Celtic Gent Limited

Dublin

Molloy Holdings Limited

Dublin

Sayerscourt (Grafton Street) Limited

Dublin

O'Sullivan Safety Limited

Dublin

BellaBaby Limited

Galway

MDRG Holdings Limited

Wexford

Jamart Designs Limited

Dublin

John Byrne Books Limited

Kildare

Múscraí Chemists Limited

Cork

Chapter One Café & Interior Limited

Cavan

Right Price Carpets & Furniture Centre (Cork) Limited

Cork

Elm Fireplaces Limited

Limerick

TechStar IT Limited

Galway

Rosscarbery Pharmacy Limited

Cork

Clarke's Toymaster Limited

Monaghan

Kylemore Abbey and Gardens Limited

Galway

Craughwell Furniture & Carpets Limited

Galway

Cunniffe Electric Limited

Galway

Thunders Bakery Limited

Dublin

Rhinecourt Limited

Wexford

Des Kelly Interiors Limited

Dublin

Lynpharm Limited

Meath

Cashel Pharmacy Limited

Tipperary

Costard Investments Limited

Dublin

LGM Developments Limited

Sligo

Regal Interiors Limited

Tipperary

TractaMotors Limited

Cavan

DawsonRidge Retail Limited

Dublin

Barrowvig Limited T/A Ryle Menswear

Kerry

Joyce and Sons (Headford) Limited

Galway

The Shoe Rack Limited

Dublin

Gourmet Tart Co

Galway

Emsaf Limited

Dublin

Mayo TileWarehouse Limited

Mayo

The Book Centre (Waterford) Limited

Waterford

Wickham Properties Holdings Limited

Limerick

Livy Issue Limited

Dublin

Micheal McQuaid & Sons Limited

Monaghan

ENDS

The Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation (DBEI) plays a key role in implementing the Government’s policies of stimulating the productive capacity of the economy and creating an environment which supports job creation and maintenance. The Department has lead responsibility for Irish policy on global trade and inward investment and a remit to promote fair competition in the marketplace, protect consumers and safeguard workers.

For further information, members of themedia can contact Press Office, D/Business, Enterprise and Innovation, press.office@dbei.gov.ie or (01) 631 2200.

If you no longer wish to receive emails from the Department of Business Enterprise and Innovation Press Office, please notify us by email to press.office@dbei.gov.ie

A comprehensive listing of supports, grants, and advice available to businesses affected by COVID-19 is available at dbei.gov.ie/coronavirus.

Contact the Business Support Call Centre

The Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation has established a Business Support Call Centre for information on the business supports available to businesses and enterprises affected by COVID-19. It can be reached at infobusinesssupport@dbei.gov.ie or (01) 631 2002.