The Online Retail Scheme is 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 supports retailers, who already have an online presence and who have a physical store, to enhance their online capability and presence so as they can best exploit new opportunities and attract new customers.
Details of the scheme can be found on Online Retail Scheme - Enterprise Ireland.
The Online Retail Scheme is complementary to the Trading Online Voucher Scheme Trading Online Voucher Scheme - Local Enterprise Office.
Calls under the Online Retail Scheme
2023 scheme
In the latest round of the Online Retail Scheme, 98 retailers are to receive €2.3 million in funding, with 79% of successful applicant companies based outside of Dublin. In this latest round, retailers could apply for up to €25,000 in grant funding to strengthen their ecommerce capabilities. Recipients from this call are located throughout Ireland and are 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 are 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).
Related article
Online Retail Scheme: Helping Irish retailers compete on a global scale