logo
Wexford shop named Online Retailer of the Year

Wexford shop named Online Retailer of the Year

The foundation is a national body that is responsible for identifying and accrediting Irish businesses as 'Business All Stars.'
The Foundation also offers accredited businesses with opportunities to engage in peer-dialogue, collaboration and support to each other. It allows them to attain and, most importantly, maintain the highest verified standards for the benefit of both businesses and consumers.
At their annual awards, founder of All Ireland Foods proudly accepted the award from Margaret Considine, President of Chambers Ireland.
The shop sells 100 per cent Irish produce to a range of countries around the world, ensuring that customers get a taste of home wherever they are across the globe.
The expert judging panel highlighted that by championing local suppliers and ensuring the highest standards of quality and service, All-Ireland Foods has emerged as one of Ireland's foremost online food retailers, setting a benchmark for excellence in the industry.
They also noted that the business has excelled in creating a user-friendly website that offers an extensive range of products, accompanied by detailed descriptions that highlight the origin and story behind each item.
"This transparency and dedication to authenticity have cultivated a loyal customer base and enhanced the shopping experience, making All Ireland Foods a leader in the field,' they wrote.
Announcing the news of All Ireland Foods's achievement, Deputy Chair of AIBF's Adjudication Board, Kieran Ring, said: 'All Ireland Foods has been recognised with the prestigious Business All-Star Online Retailer Of The Year accreditation by The All-Ireland Business Foundation, recognising its exceptional contribution to promoting and selling 100% Irish-made products."
"This honour underscores All Ireland Foods' commitment to supporting local producers and offering consumers authentic Irish goods through a seamless online shopping experience. The company's innovative approach to online retail, combined with a deep respect for heritage and community, has set them apart in the digital commerce space.'
Speaking on their win, Joe said they take great pride in creating a welcoming experience with customers while cultivating lasting relationships with growers.
ADVERTISEMENT
Learn more
"'We are deeply honoured to be named Business All-Star Online Retailer Of The Year 2024 by the All-Ireland Business Foundation. This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team, who strive every day to deliver exceptional service and promote Irish produce. We are committed to continuing our journey of growth and innovation, supporting our local producers, and contributing positively to the Irish economy.'
"We are proud to be a Business All-Star Accredited company and look forward to leveraging this prestigious accolade to further benefit the food producers and growers we work with,' he added.
Managing Director of AIBF described the rigorous process involved with the judging to make sure the highest quality is ensured.
"We evaluate a company's background, trustworthiness and performance, and we speak to customers, employees and vendors. We also anonymously approach the company as a customer and report back on the experience. The business goes through at least two interviews and is scored on every part of the process against set metrics,' he said.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Ticket update for opening Lions fixture vs Argentina amid sky-high prices for Aviva Stadium clash
Ticket update for opening Lions fixture vs Argentina amid sky-high prices for Aviva Stadium clash

The Irish Sun

time15 minutes ago

  • The Irish Sun

Ticket update for opening Lions fixture vs Argentina amid sky-high prices for Aviva Stadium clash

FRIDAY night's game between the Lions and Argentina has sold out. Tickets had still been available overnight as it appeared hefty prices had turned punters off. The cheapest remaining tickets were an eye-watering €148 and if you wanted to buy tickets in pairs in order to sit together, they would set you back a staggering €190 each. But a Lions spokesperson confirmed at the captain's run today that all remaining tickets had been sold for what is the first game the representative side has played on Irish soil. Asked about the ticket prices, Lions assistant coach Richard Wigglesworth said: 'You're asking the wrong man. "I'm a rugby coach, I've got my hands full with that without getting involved in ticket prices Read More On Irish Sport 'All I know is that everyone you talk to, whether they're friends, family or strangers on the street, is incredibly excited about the Lions playing here in Dublin.' 'Cried like a baby didn't ya-' - Watch Andy Farrell embarrass Ireland star over reaction to Lions call-up 1 Players like Joe McCarthy met supporters at this afternoon's captain's run

Hotel lobby quietly backs introduction of a tourist tax, says Fine Gael TD
Hotel lobby quietly backs introduction of a tourist tax, says Fine Gael TD

Irish Examiner

time22 minutes ago

  • Irish Examiner

Hotel lobby quietly backs introduction of a tourist tax, says Fine Gael TD

Private briefings from the hotel lobby have given quiet backing to the introduction of a tourist tax, a Fine Gael TD has said. James Geoghegan has indicated hotels in Dublin City have provided him with 'off-the-record' briefings, where they have set out their willingness to deal with a hotel room tax if Government can show where the funds will go. 'I've actually had a lot of off-the-record discussions with some of the major hotel sectors in Dublin City and what they say to me off-the-record is that look, 'a couple of euro on a hotel bill [is] fine, but if you show us what the return on that investment is',' Mr Geoghegan said. In recent months, the four local authorities in Dublin have been working on proposals to tax hotel rooms, with a suggestion funds raised could be funneled into amenities and local improvements. It has been estimated as much as €12m could be collected each year through the proposed levy. Mr Geoghegan cited how other countries have introduced a tourist tax, highlighting Edinburgh provides some of the funds back to hotels to deal with the administrative costs of the levy. 'There's lots of ways to ensure that we can bring them to the table. I can understand what they don't want to see is just something happen overnight and there does need to be a process, however frustrating that might be for people out there who want to see things happen quickly. 'This is the process of Government, but I think we're going in the right direction.' Mr Geoghegan said hotels would buy into the hotel levy as money raised would go 'right back into Dublin City' and support tourists travelling to Ireland. 'We see right across Europe, a couple of euros on a hotel bill is a very standard practice,' Mr Geoghegan said. It comes after a group of Dublin-based Fine Gael TDs, including Mr Geoghegan, launched proposals to support the implementation of the Dublin City taskforce report. This includes calling on the Government to examine the introduction of a hotel room tax, which has previously been dismissed by senior Coalition figures — including Tánaiste and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris. Mr Geoghegan said he had engaged in discussions with Fine Gael ministers, including tourism minister Peter Burke, on the matter. 'I do understand the general broader concerns in respect of tourism that he [Mr Burke] might have from an overnight introduction, but I'd be hopeful that he would support an examination,' Mr Geoghegan said. The Fine Gael TD added any examination should be carried out by Fáilte Ireland. On Wednesday, Taoiseach Micheál Martin indicated the Government would discuss an implementation report on the taskforce at Cabinet next Tuesday. Mr Geoghegan said he was 'very hopeful' there would be a commitment to examining a hotel tax within the Cabinet memo. Read More Irish universities rank among global 800 for first time

Ireland's fintech surge defies global investment slowdown
Ireland's fintech surge defies global investment slowdown

Irish Examiner

time35 minutes ago

  • Irish Examiner

Ireland's fintech surge defies global investment slowdown

Global fintech investment dropped to its lowest point in seven years in 2024, falling from $119.8 billion (€105 billion) in 2023 to $95.6 billion, according to KPMG's Pulse of Fintech report. But in Ireland, the story was different. Irish fintechs raised $237.95 million across 25 deals, marking a 291 per cent increase year-on-year. In a cautious market, the Republic's numbers stand out. And while part of the increase reflects a rebound from a soft 2023, analysts and insiders agree there's more behind the headline. Much of the capital flowed into companies moving beyond early-stage experimentation. Investors showed a preference for businesses with validated products, credible teams, and scalable compliance strategies. Payments infrastructure and regtech firms led the way, supported by a broader shift toward regulated, enterprise-grade solutions. Mid-stage deal sizes increased, suggesting that Irish fintech is maturing, not just in ambition, but in operational depth. Connor Cantwell, partner at COSIMO Digital, has seen the momentum up close. His firm focuses on blockchain and digital asset infrastructure, a smaller segment, but one that's highly active. Conor Cantwell, partner at COSIMO Digital. 'The market in Ireland is small, that's for sure, but it's very dynamic,' he says. 'You've got a lot of people building, testing, and pushing new ideas forward. But when you look at high growth percentages in a smaller market, you have to remember it often doesn't take a huge movement to drive those numbers.' Cantwell points to the Solana Superteams initiative and TechStars accelerator as good examples of innovation coming through. But he also notes that access to funding remains a consistent challenge. 'Capital is always hard to find. It doesn't matter what sector you're in,' he says. 'Some of the strongest products we've seen have been self-funded to date. They're ready to scale, but local capital can only take them so far; they're now reaching out internationally.' COSIMO's own project, Fortuna Digital Custody, is currently navigating the MiCA transition under the Central Bank of Ireland. 'It's a heavy lift,' he said. 'But if you want to operate in this space, being on the regulated side is where you want to be.' Ireland's appeal to investors and international firms lies in more than tax or geography. Regulatory clarity, institutional support and a consistent talent pipeline have helped create a stable environment in an otherwise volatile global market. Government agencies such as Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland have helped with positioning and promotion, while the Central Bank's evolving frameworks have made it easier, though not effortless, to launch compliant financial products. One of the clearest endorsements of Ireland's fintech ecosystem came from Stani Kulechov, founder and chief executive of Avara, the company behind protocols including Aave and Lens. Avara opened its Dublin office with eight developers but quickly expanded to add operations and compliance hires. The company now anticipates further growth in the months ahead. Kulechov was in Dublin to speak at both the Blockchain Ireland and ETH Dublin events in May. Stani Kukechov, founder 'Dublin stood out as the ideal location for Avara's European headquarters thanks to its deep talent pool, thriving fintech ecosystem and regulatory clarity,' he said. 'We're investing in Dublin not just as a base for EU expansion, but as a long-term partner in building open, user-first digital and financial technologies. Our goal is to contribute to Ireland's leadership in fintech innovation while scaling solutions that give people more control over their financial and online lives.' Avara's move signals that Ireland is no longer just a launch pad for early-stage start-ups. It's becoming a strategic base for growth-stage fintech and Web3 firms looking for a regulated, English-speaking EU hub with global reach. At its peak, Aave held more than $37 billion in deposits, making it one of the most used DeFi protocols in the world. While the 2024 investment figures are strong, the test will come in follow-through: continued access to capital, meaningful exits and the ability to scale while maintaining compliance. A small number of large deals may have skewed the year's totals, but there's clear evidence of broader maturity across the ecosystem. As international capital keeps looking for reliable footholds in Europe, Ireland's ability to blend innovation with regulation may prove to be its biggest asset yet.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store