Coupang and Coupang Eats Support Traditional Markets’ Online Transition, Starting at Cheongju Yukgeori Market

[Financial News] Coupang and Coupang Eats are launching the Traditional Market Digital Jump-Up Partnership Program to strengthen traditional markets’ competitiveness in online delivery.
According to Coupang on the 10th, the program was created to support traditional-market small-business owners in transitioning online and expanding their sales channels. It will first be implemented at Cheongju Yukgeori Market, a leading traditional market in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, before expanding to other regional traditional markets, including Geoje, by the first half of next year.
The program consists of online sales strategy consulting, industry-academic cooperation, and meal-kit development. Coupang plans to expand the support to include packaging-material assistance and online promotional events.
The online sales strategy consulting program helps traditional-market merchants with limited online sales experience adapt to the digital environment. It provides training to prepare for joining Coupang Eats, along with support for photographing menus and products. Given that many traditional-market merchants are older, Coupang plans to continue providing support after they join the platform.
The industry-academic cooperation program will link the markets with nearby universities. It will propose store-specific marketing strategies and ways to attract new customers from the perspective of consumers in their 20s. Through the meal-kit development program, Coupang will identify distinctive menus from each traditional market and develop them into products.
Coupang operated a similar support program at Cheongnyangni Market during the first half of this year. At the time, it provided Cheongnyangni Market merchants with online sales strategy consulting, an industry-academic cooperation program with the College of Hotel & Tourism Management, Kyung Hee University, meal-kit product development, and packaging-material support. Following this assistance, the merchants’ Coupang Eats sales during the first half of this year increased by approximately 40% year on year.
Jang Young-chul, executive vice president of Coupang’s Social Contribution Office, said, "We have prepared a practical support program so that traditional-market merchants can use online sales as a new growth opportunity." He added, "We will continue supporting traditional-market merchants so they can establish themselves securely in online sales channels and achieve sustainable growth, taking into account the distinctive characteristics of each market in the region."
[email protected] Jang Yu-ha Reporter