Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 September 2023
234. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he is aware of an online retail site (details supplied), accessed via private agent filters that undercuts retail prices on clothing goods in Ireland; the view of his Department on the impact that site is having on the retail sector here in the State; and if he will publish all research, if any, that his Department has carried out on this issue. [39845/23]
View answerAs you know, I chair the Retail Forum which was established to allow key issues of relevance to the retail sector to be discussed. This issue has not been raised by any member of the group, which represents a range of retail types, and so I am not aware of the online retail site the Deputy refers to or of its impact on the Retail Sector.
The transition to online shopping was accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic and consumers’ retail habits have changed significantly.
The Online Retail Scheme was introduced and developed by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment in conjunction with Enterprise Ireland as part of the ongoing work of the Retail Forum.
The Scheme’s purpose is to develop resilience of the domestic retail enterprise sector through enhancing online sales capabilities to drive productivity and increase competitiveness and subsequently scale businesses in international markets.
In the latest round of the Online Retail Scheme, that closed for applications on 3 May 2023, 98 retailers are to receive €2.3 million in funding, with 79% of successful applicant companies based outside of Dublin.
Recipients from this call are located throughout Ireland and are from a number of Retail sectors, including hardware, pharmacy, clothing and furniture.
Since 2018 more than 850 projects from retailers based in Ireland have been approved for €30.7 m in funding through the Government’s Online Retail Scheme.
