Lotte Department Store earns top rating in Shared Growth Index; efforts to support partners recognized

[Financial News] Lotte Department Store has received the top rating in the Korea Commission for Corporate Partnership’s Shared Growth Index assessment for the second consecutive year.
According to industry sources on the 11th, Lotte Department Store received the top rating in the department store and duty-free sector in the “2026 Shared Growth Index Assessment” announced that day by the Korea Commission for Corporate Partnership. The assessment was based on performance from last year.
The Shared Growth Index is an annual measure announced by the Korea Commission for Corporate Partnership to assess the level of mutually beneficial cooperation between large and small and medium-sized companies. Under its shared-growth vision, “Higher and Farther! Together LOTTE,” Lotte Department Store has run programs focused on financial support for partner companies, expanding their sales channels and establishing a culture of fair trade.
Key support measures include the 100 billion won “Win-Win Growth Fund,” which offers partner companies loans at preferential interest rates in cooperation with financial institutions, and the “Win-Win Growth Fund,” which provides interest-free financing. Last year, ahead of the holidays, the company made early payments totaling 830 billion won to about 3,300 partner companies facing increased demand for funds.
The company is also continuing support to ease partner companies’ operating burdens and expand their sales channels. Its initiatives include a “Win-Win Margin Program,” which offers reduced sales commissions to outstanding small and medium-sized partner companies, as well as ESG management and food safety consulting. It also supports the development of sales channels at home and abroad through initiatives such as the “Lotte Brand Expo” and “Lotte Department Store Dream Plaza.”
In particular, Jeong Hyeon-seok, CEO of Lotte Department Store, was newly appointed as a member representing large companies on the 8th Korea Commission for Corporate Partnership, which launched that day. Jeong is expected to take part in shared-growth policy decisions, including deliberations on industries suited to small and medium-sized businesses, for two years through November 10, 2028.
“This year, we further strengthened our policies to support our partners’ sales channels through initiatives such as Next Contents Lab, Lotte Department Store’s platform for taking K-fashion overseas, and shared-growth programs in collaboration with Gyeonggi Province,” said Lee Seong-hyeon, head of communications at Lotte Department Store. “Recognizing the role and responsibility of Lotte Department Store, which works with more partner companies than any other department store in the industry, we will continue to step up our efforts to promote shared growth.”

[email protected] Jang Yu-ha Reporter