Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys TD, today officially launched a new €625,000 pilot competitive scheme for eligible SMEs in the retail sector. The new scheme, to be delivered by Enterprise Ireland, will support retailers to strengthen their online trading capabilities in order to compete internationally.
The Minister made the announcement at a meeting of the Retail Consultation Forum which brings together representative bodies and public- sector bodies to discuss the developmental needs of the retail sector. In addition to announcing the new Scheme, the Minister launched an information leaflet about the range of existing Brexit related supports available to the retail sector.
The new pilot retail online scheme was developed by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation (DBEI) with Enterprise Ireland in response to a need they have identified for a step change in online capability in the retail sector as set out in the Action Plan for Jobs 2017. By supporting a cohort of SME retailers with grants between €10,000 to €25,000 on a match fund basis to enhance their digital capability, DBEI aims to encourage the retail sector in Ireland to develop a more competitive online offer, that will enable an increase in their customer base and build a more resilient business in the domestic and global marketplace both online and offline.
The total fund size is up to €625,000. Applications for funding to include; Research, Strategy Development, Implementation, and Training will be considered on a competitive basis.
In recognition of the strong role the retail sector plays in supporting regional development and vibrant communities, at least 50% of the total number of grants awarded will be reserved for retail SMEs with their headquarters outside of county Dublin once the qualification threshold score is met.
The Building Stronger Business- Getting Brexit Ready: Summary of Brexit supports available to Retail Businesses leaflet will be circulated to retailers through the various retail representative bodies and is also available to download at www.dbei.gov.ie.
Typical elements involved in developing a sophisticated and transactional online presence include research, consultancy costs for strategy development and implementation and training costs.
The pilot scheme will open at the end of October.
The Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation convenes the Retail Consultation Forum and provides it with Secretariat support. The Forum enables key issues affecting the retail sector to be discussed, with a view to identifying practical actions which could be taken by Government, or by industry itself, to support sustainable jobs growth in the sector. The Forum is chaired by Heather Humphreys TD, Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation.