10 retailers to take part in Google incubator

Ten companies have been chosen to be part of a Google-backed incubation programme aimed at helping online traders to develop their businesses.

The 10 companies that are taking part are members of eTail Excellence Ireland (EEI), the digital division of industry group Retail Excellence Ireland.

The successful candidates are drawn from a range of retail sectors, and 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.

The companies will work with Google's head of sales Cera Ward and EEI head Sheila Buckley over an eight month period as the companies work to create a stronger online brand and increase sales.

Once the programme is complete, the participants will take Google exams online advertising, marketing and analytics, and will become mentors for the subsequent programmes.

The programme is also aiming to increase awareness of the option to buy Irish online, with recent figures indicating that Irish online shopping is behind that of other European countries, such as Britain.

Ms Buckley said there were many programmes and supports aimed at start-ups, but this particular programme was aimed at established firms who needed advice on developing their businesses further. About half of retailers and SMEs do not have an online presence, EEI said.

“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,” Ms Buckley said

“Research last year (from UPC) told us that the Irish consumer would prefer to shop with Irish e-tailers if that option was available. This year we expect Irish consumers to spend €4.5billion online. We are determined to have that €4.5billion stay in Ireland.”