The number of daily infections is rising and business owners must start to ‘pandemic proof’ their business. Retailers may already have prepared for a second wave of the virus by investing in an e-commerce strategy, which could become their business’ lifeline. More than 3,700 businesses closed as a result of the first lockdown, with Primark losing an estimated £800 million due to its inability to sell online. Despite this, 54% of existing retailers have not made any changes to their model in order to prepare for the second spike. Overall, just 42% are planning any further digital investment to better ...

Mercury Order is designed to help make ‘shop local’ digital by giving local, independent retailers everywhere a cost-effective online ordering system for their customers. The software was designed during lockdown by Derry-based digital growth agency Grofuse to allow smaller retailers to offer online shopping for home delivery and collection, as well as helping them to compete online against supermarket multiples. Mercury Order has now been nominated as a finalist in one of the world’s leading e-commerce trade exhibitions. The E-Commerce Expo 2020 has shortlisted the retail software in two separate awards categories: ‘Best E-commerce in Lockdown’ and ‘Best E-Commerce Technology Innovation/Best ...

Ireland’s local retailers should prepare for winter lockdowns now by offering online ordering services to their shoppers, according to Irish digital growth agency Grofuse. With public health measures increased in Dublin to combat the spread of coronavirus and other counties on the cusp on further restrictions, it’s been revealed that more than half of people (54%) say the response has been appropriate. While almost half of respondents (47%) say the worst is ‘ahead of us’. And that may have serious repercussions for local retailers everywhere who have not embraced online selling, says Grofuse Director, Ian Cullen. He says: “Last spring ...