Newry City in Northern Ireland is positioning itself as a key hub for ecommerce on the island of Ireland, and a leading ecommerce centre in the north of the island.
At a recent event hosted by the Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade, over 100 delegates gathered to explore the city’s potential in the digital marketplace.
The event, titled “eCommerce as a Driver of Newry’s Economy,” featured presentations from industry leaders who have successfully leveraged online ecommerce platforms to expand their businesses globally. Clare Vallely, Co-Founder of Kukoon Rugs, shared her company’s journey of shipping over one million rugs worldwide, with 80% of sales generated through online channels.
Laura Kearney, Founder & CEO of The Walk in Wardrobe, discussed her transition from a local high street store in Banbridge to an international ecommerce enterprise, highlighting the scalability and reach that online platforms can offer.
Paul Walsh, Founder of tomorrow.ie, stressed the importance of local businesses embracing ecommerce to tap into broader markets. He noted that “eCommerce could be the first economic sector to benefit from this region’s Dual Market Access,” referring to Newry’s strategic location between Dublin and Belfast, providing access to both UK and EU markets.
Edwina Flynn, President of Newry Chamber, addressed the current ecommerce landscape in Newry, revealing that a significant portion of local businesses have yet to establish an online presence. She stated, “Newry consumers are spending approximately £19 million on Amazon orders per year, this is a huge amount of local spend not being recirculated within our local economy, which we simply can’t afford to let happen.”
Newry Chamber aims to encourage local businesses in and around Newry City to adopt a “clicks and mortar” model, integrating online sales with traditional retail to enhance competitiveness and economic resilience. By capitalising on its geographical advantages and embracing digital transformation, Newry is well positioned to become a leading ecommerce centre both in the UK and on the island of Ireland.
