Google, eTail Excellence Ireland launch Digital Incubation Programme

Trade

Google and eTail Excellence Ireland (EEI) have chosen 10 EEI members to be part of the first Google Digital Incubation Programme.

Each company involved will outline their strategic goals and their progress will be monitored throughout the eight-month programme.

To complete the process each participant will also take Google exams.

The 10 chosen companies include The DAA, McElhinney’s, Butlers Chocolate Cafés, The Kilkenny Group, 53 Degrees North, Tony Kealys, Horkans Garden Centre and Petworld, Equipet, Heatons Stores and Fields.

Sheila Buckley, head of eTail Excellence Ireland, said: "Online sales are growing at a phenomenal rate in Ireland and across Europe at an average of 20% year on year. The online retail industry is more buoyant than other online industries with a 25% increase year on year, a very positive figure. More encouraging is the fact that Irish businesses actually have stronger online growth than their European counterparts, growth that has doubled since 2008.

Unfortunately, 55% of Retailers, and 50% of SMEs are not online. This is a major challenge for the potential of the digital economy. The longer these issues are left untackled, the greater the risk that the Irish consumers will develop loyalty with the larger international online brands."

TechCentral Reporters

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