The Online Retail Scheme was a competitive scheme administered by Enterprise Ireland.
Since 2018 more than 850 projects from retailers based in Ireland have been approved for €30.7 million in funding through the government’s Online Retail Scheme.
The scheme supported retailers, who already had an online presence and who had a physical store, to enhance their online capability and presence so that they could best exploit new opportunities and attract new customers.
Calls under the Online Retail Scheme
2023 scheme
98 retailers received €2.3 million in funding, with 79% of successful applicant companies based outside of Dublin. Under the 2023 scheme, retailers could apply for up to €25,000 in grant funding to strengthen their ecommerce capabilities. Recipients from this call were located throughout Ireland and were from a number of retail sectors, including hardware, pharmacy, clothing and furniture.
Related press release: Minister Neale Richmond announces €2.3 million in funding to enhance retailers’ online presence
2022 scheme
216 retailers were awarded €9.29 million in funding under the call in 2022. 72% of successful applicant companies were based outside of Dublin.
2020 and 2021 schemes
The department introduced 3 calls under the COVID-19 Online Retail Scheme in response to the COVID-19 crisis and the urgent need for retail companies to achieve a step change in online capability. In 2022 the Data and Evaluation Unit in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment carried out a spending review of the COVID-19 Online Retail Scheme.
2018 and 2019 schemes
The Online Retail Scheme was piloted over 2 calls in 2018 (recipients under first call of the Online Retail Scheme) and 2019 (€659,550 in grants to retail sector under the Pilot Online Retail Scheme).