New platform to help businesses
A new ecommerce site has been launched with the hopes that it will lead to more people spending their money on Irish online businesses.
Digital Business Ireland has teamed up with consumer finance company humm by flexifi to launch what they describe as an ecommerce solution for Irish retailers and businesses.
Marketplace by humm is an online platform designed for the placement of goods and products and is fully equipped to take orders and process payments. It offers businesses without this capability a turnkey solution.
humm by flexifi, a subsidiary of ASX-listed flexigroup, has been operating in the Irish market for over twelve years providing instalment payment plans to consumers shopping with retailers, both in store and online.
Leveraging this expertise and knowledge of the retail market, humm by flexifi has developed its Marketplace to give Irish retailers and businesses access to online markets.
CEO of Digital Business Ireland, Lorraine Higgins, said: “In partnership with humm by flexifi, Digital Business Ireland is delighted to offer Irish retailers and businesses an opportunity to join Marketplace by humm thereby giving them access to more Irish consumers while negating the costs of establishing a website. Currently 47 per cent of all online spend by Irish consumers, is going overseas and we need to do more to increase the share flowing to Irish businesses.”
“This initiative is timely as we head into the busy Christmas period when the opportunities to shop in person will be limited. We know that it can be difficult, and expensive, for retailers and businesses to pivot to an online sales channel. Our collaboration with humm by flexifi, is a response to that and gives these businesses access to the infrastructure in a way that minimises their investment.”
CEO of humm by flexifi PJ Byrne, said: “Marketplace by humm offers businesses a turnkey ecommerce solution. Ecommerce presents unlimited opportunities, and we hope that the Marketplace platform will mark the first step for many businesses on this journey. Last year online retail sales in Ireland increased by 17 per cent compared to 14.7 per cent across Europe and 13 per cent globally.
“This faster than average growth in Ireland, compared to the rest of the world, shows that Irish consumers are embracing the online shopping experience. It is important that Irish retailers, and businesses, secure as much of this business as possible.”