Released on: September 18, 2008, 4:26 am

Press Release Author: Mark Dunphy/Dunphy Public Relations

Industry: Real Estate

Press Release Summary: Thursday, 18 September 2008 - Despite the current economic
climate, “online retailing” is still very much in growth mode compared to
traditional high-street retail activity.

Press Release Body: That is according to Magico.ie, a leading Irish ecommerce firm,
which claims that web sales in Ireland are now exceeding EUR12 million a day.

Mr. Paul McGurran, Director of ecommerce, Magico.ie, commented, ‘Although
traditional high-street retail activity is suffering a downturn, Internet sales in
Ireland are likely to smash all previous records this year as more and more drop the
high street for the super information highway.’

He continued, ‘For example, according to Realex Payments peak online sale in Ireland
reached EUR12.7 million on Dec 4th 2007 last year declining to EUR7.3 million in
subsequent days during the Christmas period. In 2008 average daily Web sales in
Ireland are now exceeding EUR12 million per day’.

Mr. McGurran pointed to recent research in the UK showing that Internet sales will
continue to grow and the web channel will claim more than half of the retail market
pie by 2026.

‘This increase in online retail activity is being stimulated by numerous factors
including greater broadband penetration across Ireland, and time-poor and price
conscious consumers. Furthermore, the rising price of fuel is the main reason behind
consumers’ inclination towards web shopping, with users spending an average of 1.6
hours each week buying on the Internet‘, added Mr. McGurran.

Retailers wishing to develop an ecommerce Strategy are being invited to attend an
ecommerce Seminar from 7-9pm at The Morgan Hotel, Templebar, Dublin on October 15th
2008.

The themes being covered in the Magico.ie seminar include Innovative Email
Marketing, How to Grow Web-to-Store Footfall, Holistic Online Payment Strategy,
Online Marketing & Search Engine Optimisation and Online Shop/ePos Integration.

‘The eCommerce Seminar is aimed at anyone involved in selling products, including
business-to-consumer or business-to-business. Professional speakers with direct
online retailing experience will demonstrate how to turn Internet visitors into
Buyers’, stated Mr. McGurran.

He pointed out that companies that had expanded their business into the online
market were also experiencing an increased footfall on their premises.

Mr. McGurran stated, ‘Both sides of the business benefit each other because a lot of
people browse at home and come in to buy and other people go to the stores and then
buy on the Internet. However, many Irish retailers have yet to realise this and are
unknowingly denying themselves profits’.

For more information on the upcoming seminar see www.magico.ie/seminar.

Magico.ie was established in 1999 and currently employs 13 people at its
headquarters in Ennis, County Clare. Its current client base includes Fujipix.ie,
The Bag Shop, Smyths Toys, Irish Auctioneers & Valuers Institute, Evergreen
Healthfood, Munster Rugby Supporters Club, Freshways Sandwiches, Sisk Builders and
Fitzpatrick Design Hotels.

The Magico.ie team consists of industry experts who have worked on large Irish and
overseas ICT projects with partners such as IBM, Microsoft, Tesco.com, Ireland
Online, Bank of Ireland Asset Management, and many more.

In 2005, the ecommerce, online sales and marketing firm received the ‘Best Web
Design and Development Agency Award’ at the prestigious eircom.net Golden Spider
Awards, the Oscars of Ireland’s Internet industry. Since this success, the company
has been shortlisted for a Golden Spider award every year, as well as being
shortlisted in the Web Development Company of the Year category at the ICT
Excellence Awards.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editor:
- Mr. Paul McGurran, Director of e-Commerce Business Unit, Magico.ie is available
for interview and further comment. Call 065-6864580/086-8520217 or email
paulmcg(at)magico.ie
- About Paul McGurran: Paul joined Magico from Cash's Mail Order where as e-Commerce
Marketing Manager he helped to significantly grow online sales from the North
American market. For over three years he had a "hands on" role in running a busy
Online Store. He was responsible for online product merchandising; email marketing
campaigns, affiliate marketing, interactive catalogue and e-commerce strategy. Since
1995 Paul has advised both national and international clients (Royal Mail, Ediets
Europe, Anotherfriend.com, Royal & Sun Alliance) on how to get the most from the
Internet. Between 1991 and 1994 he worked in marketing positions in Dusseldorf,
Germany with a business-to-business magazine publishing house. While at Pira
International, a UK based electronic publishing consultancy, he authored a
pan-European management study entitled "Corporate Web Strategies in Europe". At
Webfactory in Dublin he advised among others VHI, Sherry Fitzgerald, Slendertone and
Careersworld. Relocating to Limerick Paul joined BDO Simpson Xavier where he acted
as eBusiness Advisor to the Lynch Hotel Group, SPS International and Stockbyte. Paul
graduated from University of Limerick with an honours degree in European Studies in
1991. He has since taken courses in Strategy (MBA), Digital Marketing and Project
Management. In 2002 he returned to UL to research the impact of the "E-Service
Profit Chain" on online shopping journey at the AIB Centre for Information &
Knowledge Management.

Mark Dunphy
Dunphy Public Relations
www.dunphypr.com
media@dunphypr.com
00353-868534900

Web Site: http://www.dunphypr.com

Contact Details: Mark Dunphy
Dunphy Public Relations
Connolly
Ennis
Clare
IRELAND
www.dunphypr.com
media@dunphypr.com
00353-868534900