New virtual marketplace has been launched

More than 120 small, independent Irish companies have already registered for The Doorstep Market, a one-stop shop which will enable people to shop local and buy Irish while staying at home.

The initiative, created by volunteers in response to the Covid-19 crisis, has been launched today and can be accessed at www.thedoorstepmarket.ie.

In addition to making it easy for people to support local and buy Irish, the website also offers a free e-commerce platform so Irish businesses can get online and start trading quickly and easily. Businesses can also use the site to collaborate on offers and deliveries. Consumers can browse a wide variety of Irish products on a single site while buying from multiple different suppliers in a single transaction.

Despite the current restrictions making it impossible to meet in person, co-founders Grace Tallon and Joe O’Connor have been working closely together to develop the project over the past week, mostly using video conferencing technologies.

Said Grace: “We’re really excited about the ambitious virtual shopping experience that The Doorstep Market will offer Irish consumers, with a huge and growing selection of Irish products and services. We’re encouraging people to stay home, and shop local.”

Joe added: “Irish people want to help support their small, independent businesses get through this crisis in whatever way they can. With The Doorstep Market, they can now do that in a single place, from the comfort and safety of their own homes.”