Letterkenny has been urged to become more ‘online’ savvy so that local businesses can more money from the internet.
Fine Gael councillor Jimmy Kavanagh said that some businesses are actively engaging and selling their services and products online but others aren’t.
He has now tabled a motion for the latest meeting of Letterkenny Town Council asking that “the council liaise with the chamber of commerce and other interested parties to devise a strategy for ecommerce for the town.”
Councillor Kavanagh revealed a recent study by Visa Europe showed that Irish consumers are to spend a total of €420 million online on gifts in the run up to Christmas, with an average spend of €227 per shopper’.
“This shows that there is a huge market for online shopping and I feel that local businesses are not geared to taking advantage of this potential.
“Some traders in the town are actively engaged with internet selling, but they are the exception rather than the rule. We have excellent Donegal and Irish products available and excellent gift and craft shops that are ideal for internet trading.
“With so many Donegal and Irish people now living and working abroad, it is the perfect time for traders to get involved with online markets. Consumer confidence in trading online is now high thanks to; much improved online security, the fact that most people are now very comfortable using the internet, and the easy availability of online access from smartphones and tablets as well as the more traditional laptops and PC’s,” he said.
He added that the availability of cloud computing also means that it is becoming easier and cheaper for traders to add an online dimension to their business.
“I feel that the council has the ability and the know how to bring interested parties together, look at the opportunities and devise a strategy for the town around online trading. LYIT is also producing IT graduates of a very high standard and there is an opportunity for the college to get involved and lend their expertise.
“I feel that a proper strategy on online trading for the town with clear objectives and goals would be a huge help to local business and would create some much needed employment in the Town” Kavanagh concluded.