GS Retail, 7-Eleven Both Earn Top Ratings in Shared Growth Index

[Financial News] GS Retail and 7-Eleven both received the top rating in this year’s Shared Growth Index assessment.
According to industry sources on the 11th, GS Retail earned the top rating for the third consecutive year in the “2026 Shared Growth Index Assessment” announced by the Korea Commission for Corporate Partnership, earning a place among the “Top-Rated Honor Companies.” It also ranked first in the distribution sector in the assessment by industry. Convenience store chain GS25 received the top rating in the franchise sector, while home-shopping business GS Shop earned an “Excellent” rating in the home-shopping sector for the third consecutive year.
Since the franchise sector was added to the Shared Growth Index in 2016, GS25 has received the top rating five times in total, including this year. Since announcing a shared-growth support plan for franchise owners in 2017, it has expanded its support measures, including sales-boosting incentives, higher limits for inventory disposal and store operating subsidies. This year, it also signed a shared-growth agreement with the plastics-processing industry that includes adjustments to supply prices.
GS Shop has focused on expanding market access for small and medium-sized businesses. It operates “Sangsaeng On & Up,” a broadcast sales-channel support program for SMEs, through an open application process. Commission-free sales broadcasts for SMEs have also continued since 2013, now in their 14th year. GS25 and GS Shop also run the “Innovation Partnership Program,” which supports partner companies with facility investments, prototype production and product design improvements.
KOREA SEVEN CO., LTD., which operates 7-Eleven, also received the top rating in this assessment. In particular, it received the highest score in a perception survey of franchisees that are small and medium-sized businesses.
KOREA SEVEN CO., LTD. operates a “Shared Growth Cooperation Committee” and a “Voluntary Dispute Mediation Body” to help stabilize franchise store operations. This year, it also launched “Seven RE:START,” a program that tours six regions across the country and gives executives and franchise owners a chance to communicate directly. The company provides up to 6 million won per store per year to cover the disposal costs of prepared meals, as well as operational support such as inventory management for ambient and refrigerated products and efforts to boost sales of ready-to-eat foods. It also offers welfare programs including medical benefits, a shared-growth fund, labor consultations and assistance with interest on student loans for children attending university.
“Coexistence and shared prosperity with franchise owners are core values for sustainable growth,” said Park Sang-jun, head of 7-Eleven’s Shared Growth Cooperation Team. “Now that our efforts to establish systems franchisees can trust have been recognized, we will consider and expand constructive shared-growth programs that can further advance a culture of shared growth.”

[email protected] Kim Hyun-ji Reporter