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Paul Montwill, Magico.
Ennis-based eCommerce pioneers Magico have facilitated businesses in getting online fast and growing fast, by supporting the applications of 14 retailers in securing over €525,000 of funding to date, through the COVID-19 Online Retail Scheme.
With Round Three of the grant, administered by Enterprise Ireland having been announced, the role of Magico remains immensely valuable. Their ability to convert a store online within a mere 8-10 week timeframe, surpasses that of its industry peers.
This scheme enables Irish retailers to enhance their digital capabilities and develop a more competitive online offering, helping to increase their customer base and build a more resilient business and trading platform going forward. Successful applicants are awarded a maximum grant of €40,000 to invest in their business, following the latest public call for submissions, which closes on May 25th, 2021.
At the start of the new six-week lockdown last October, Ryan Tubridy implored listeners to his radio show to abandon Amazon for the next few weeks and shop locally instead of bolstering the coffers of the world s biggest online retailer. His plea prompted Pamela Laird, founder of beauty business Moxi Loves, to tweet in defence of Amazon, citing how small- and medium-sized Irish brands also sell on the platform. I feel like I m alone in this, because Amazon is this big giant, says Laird, a former finalist on BBC One s The Apprentice. But the people selling on there aren t big - they are just small businesses trying to reach a mass audience. For us, it s trying to be where the customer shops. You are not going to beat them so you might as well join them.