Today’s announcement marks the latest in a series of strategic partnerships for the representative body

Ireland’s dedicated ecommerce representative body, Digital Business Ireland, has recently joined forces with one of the country’s largest online marketplaces, shopinireland.ie, as part of a new affiliate partnership. Today’s announcement marks the latest in a series of strategic partnerships for the representative body, whose extensive network now includes over 6000 businesses.

The affiliate partnership with shopinireland.ie is seen as a form of organic growth for Digital Business Ireland, as this most recent move will bring an additional 1000+ members into its community. The representative body will now provide its full suite of supports and services to every independent retailer who operates on shopinireland.ie’s ecommerce marketplace.

Since its foundation in 2019, Digital Business Ireland has worked in tandem with its membership, to provide learning opportunities, advisory services, insights, and advocacy to businesses working across the digital, online and ecommerce sectors. Aside from taking a proactive and ongoing approach with strategic partners, the representative continues to play a key role in setting the national agenda on digital transformation, post-pandemic.

Secretary General of Digital Business Ireland, Lorraine Higgins said: “I am really pleased to welcome shopinireland.ie on board as a new Affiliate Partner and I am delighted that we can now offer our extended suite of supports and services to the 1000+ retailers who trade on their marketplace platform, all of whom are now automatically members of the Digital Business Ireland network”.

“This latest partnership is a natural fit for Digital Business Ireland, as through its digital sales channel, shopinireland.ie leverages the full power of the digital economy platforming independent Irish retailers, who may otherwise be unable to sell their products online. As the dedicated voice of the digital sector, we strive to provide value to our membership and help Irish businesses to fulfil their digital ambitions. Through strategic partnerships with some of the country’s leading online innovators, we can enable our membership to maximise the full potential of ecommerce and thrive in the digital economy”.

Company Director of shopinireland.ie, Teresa Venables, said: “At shopinireland.ie our primary goal has been to provide an online customer base for those small businesses struggling to sell online whilst also providing an ecommerce storefront for customers who are consciously trying to support Irish and shop local online”.

Digital Business Ireland is a not-for-profit representative body whose core values align with those of shopinireland.ie. It is fantastic that each retailer who operates on our platform will now be able to access the training events, learning opportunities and advisory services that Digital Business Ireland provides. By working together, we can help more businesses thrive and find success online”.

About Digital Business Ireland:
Digital Business Ireland (DBI) is the leading representative body for the Irish digital and ecommerce sector. Its extensive community includes a wide range of online and digital businesses working across a number of sectors, to include technology, retail, hospitality, professional services, transport and property. Through the provision of training and events, networking opportunities, advisory services, insights and advocacy, DBI works to support Irish businesses in achieving their digital ambitions.

About shopinireland.ie:
Shopinireland.ie is an active and vibrant online marketplace which platforms independent Irish retailers, and allows customers to purchase local, hand-made goods, leveraging the full power of ecommerce. Shopinireland originally began as a Facebook group, to try and help small businesses advertise their products online. With the Facebook group quickly amassing 200,000 members, it was then time to move to a website – and so, shopinireland.ie was born. Small businesses bring character and individuality to a community, and shopinireland.ie aims to bring that community spirit to life, online.