Growing Retailers Internationally

Small and medium sized retailers are of vital importance to the economy, and it is essential that we enhance their ability to grow internationally.

The Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) at Cork Chamber recently participated at the first in-person Retail Sector meeting in Florence, Italy. Colleagues from Germany, Italy, Belgium and Denmark gathered in late January for two days of intensive learning, networking and client development.

The EEN offers SMEs access to a broad range of business opportunities through its international network. The theme of the meetings focused on the EU’s direction and vision for the retail sector. The European Commission has developed an SME Strategy for a sustainable and digital Europe, aiming to support SMEs through strengthening their ability to adopt to climate neutral challenges and help them reap the benefits of digitalisation. The green and digital transitions may seem like two separate issues, but really, they are dual challenges: neither can succeed without the other.

Digitalisation is not a goal, more a tool to develop and transition to more sustainable practices. As of January 2023, new EU legislation came into force which requires large companies and listed companies to publish regular reports on the social and environmental risks they face, and on how their activities impact people and the environment. Although this law does not directly apply to SMEs, it can have a trickledown effect as to which SMEs larger companies choose to do businesses with. Therefore, the meetings focused on the tools which can make our retail clients more resilient in this green and digital transition. This included understanding which retail software is right for our individual clients, digital solutions for excellent customer service, the 12 key steps to take when making a business cyber secure, as well as learning the importance of building a strong community over gaining new customers.

Retail is the country’s biggest private sector employer, and we want to continue to aid retailers’ ability to grow and create jobs. If you are an SME retailer looking to grow internationally, we can help. Please contact Grace at grace@corkchamber.ie and start your international journey with the EEN.

Grace Kelleher (left), Enterprise Europe Network Executive for Cork attended the in-person EEN Retail Sector meeting in Florence, where she was joined by colleagues from Italy, Belgium, Germany and Denmark.