Covid-hit Kilkenny businesses urged to avail of €5m online retail scheme
Kilkenny businesses are being urged to apply for funding under the new round of the Government’s Online Retail Scheme. The initiative aims to help Irish businesses upgrade their websites and improve their competitiveness and visibility online.
The latest round of the Covid-19 Online Retail Scheme worth €5 million was launched by Minister for Business, Employment and Retail, Damien English, this morning.
Minister English’s party colleague, Kilkenny’s TD John Paul Phelan, the €5 million investment in online retail is to help businesses expand their ventures outside their physical shop.
Deputy Phelan said: “When the pandemic hit, many Irish retailers adapted quickly to develop their online presence, showing ingenuity that helped them survive.
“It was great for Irish consumers to know that when they went online, they had local options instead of just the large international retailers.
“Government was keen to assist this from the beginning, launching the Online Retail Scheme to help businesses develop and improve their offering beyond the physical shop.
“It’s not just for businesses who are online only; we want to support bricks and clicks. It is important for the future of retail here that in-store shopping is complemented by an improved online offering to help businesses benefit from the increasing number of Irish people shopping online,” Deputy Phelan added.
The Scheme will be administered by Enterprise Ireland and is targeted at Irish-based retailers with a physical store and a pre-existing online presence. Successful applicants will receive a grant ranging from €10,000 to a maximum of €40,000 – covering up to 80% of project costs.
The Covid-19 Online Retail Scheme opens for applications today, Tuesday, May 4 and closes on Tuesday, May 25. Find more information and how to apply here.
