Gwangju Shinsegae's 25th Anniversary, Social Contribution Activities Draw Attention

Opportunity to Expand Sales Channels for Gwangju and Jeonnam Specialty Products

Partnering with Local Restaurants... Foundation for Nationwide Expansion

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Shin Dong-ho] Gwangju Shinsegae Co., Ltd. (CEO Lee Dong-hoon) has marked 25 years of partnership with Gwangju Metropolitan City this year.

Based on the value of being a "company growing together with the local community," which was emphasized at the launch of the local corporation, Gwangju Shinsegae has developed various win-win activities and has now grown into a leading distribution company representing the region.

Gwangju Shinsegae has focused on its role as a Gwangju-based company and has carried out "social contribution activities for the local community" over the years.

These include scholarship programs sustained for 25 years since its opening, the "Hope Delivery Campaign" initiated in 2006 through voluntary participation of employees and company matching grants, and the implementation of a local buyer system based on the characteristics of the local corporation.

Additionally, it has developed regional-friendly projects such as revitalizing local companies and products, sharing management, local win-win activities, cultural sponsorship, and eco-friendly activities into concrete CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) content projects, focusing its capabilities on creating social value.

In particular, this year, it has been steadily holding win-win markets in cooperation with Jeonnam Province to secure sales channels for agricultural, fishery, and livestock products.

The win-win market was started to help farmers and fishermen who have faced difficulties in securing sales channels due to the prolonged COVID-19 crisis.

To expand sales channels nationwide beyond this, a business agreement was signed with Jeonnam Province in May to increase sales of agricultural, fishery, and livestock products.

Following the business agreement, starting with the direct transaction win-win market for excellent agricultural and specialty products in cooperation with Jeonnam Province in April and May, events were held in June at Shinsegae Daegu Store, and in July at Busan Centum City Store and Gangnam Store.

Moreover, Gwangju Shinsegae has been continuously conducting touring win-win market events in places such as Gokseong, Goheung, and Haenam counties.

As a result, it has created an opportunity to expand the sales of excellent agricultural, fishery, and livestock products produced in Jeonnam from Gwangju and Jeonnam to nationwide, earning recognition for faithfully fulfilling its role as a Gwangju-based company in the region.

It has also laid the foundation for nationwide expansion by pioneering sales channels for local famous restaurants.

In June last year, it opened a Food Plaza in partnership with local famous restaurants, which has become a new food destination attracting crowds daily.

Due to this, inquiries flooded from various Shinsegae stores, and among them, Somac Bakery and Fresh Kitchen, which showed the most interest, proudly entered Shinsegae Times Square Store in Yeongdeungpo, a leading commercial area, in January.

Since entering, they have achieved over 130% of their target, with local famous restaurants significantly contributing to attracting customers to the food hall and playing a key role in sales.

Efforts are ongoing not only for Somac Bakery and Fresh Kitchen but also to help other brands grow into nationwide famous restaurants.

A representative example is Unhyeongung, a nationwide bedding brand discovered by Gwangju Shinsegae.

Unhyeongung was discovered at Yangdong Market in Seo-gu at the time of the store's opening in 1995 as a traditional Korean-style bedding set manufacturer, and its distribution network was expanded to nationwide stores.

Also, once a month, a social contribution theme is set up in the first-floor event hall to support social contribution events that provide 10 million won monthly to marginalized groups in the region who are in real need.

For the local marginalized groups, in April, emergency relief supplies costs were supported through the Gwangju Youth Center for local youth struggling due to COVID-19, and in May, play kit costs were delivered to children in vulnerable families facing difficulties due to COVID-19.

In June, treatment costs were provided to support the recovery and development and economic support of children and adolescents emotionally delayed due to pediatric cancer treatment, and in July, fans were delivered to marginalized families in the Gwangju area as part of helping them stay cool during summer.

This month, summer blankets will be delivered to marginalized families in Jindo County.

In addition, Gwangju Shinsegae carries out various social contribution activities for the local community.

A representative social contribution activity is the regional talent hope scholarship event for high school students held annually to nurture local talent.

This year, about 130 million won in regional talent hope scholarships was delivered to scholarship foundations such as the Green Umbrella Children’s Foundation and Seo-gu Scholarship Foundation, as well as local government offices.

Including this year, over 2.8 billion won has been provided to about 2,700 local talents over 25 years, achieving remarkable results.

It also continues cultural sponsorship to foster cultural citizens and promote the development of the cultural city of Gwangju.

It actively supports the Gwangju Biennale, a representative international contemporary art exhibition in the region, so that it can continue to grow into a world-class cultural and artistic festival. Continuous support has been provided since the first event in 1995, with a total of 1.7 billion won donated to the Gwangju Biennale up to the latest event.

Lastly, over the past 10 years, it has consistently practiced win-win cooperation through holding the "Gwangju-Jeonnam Excellent Companies Promotion Exhibition."

It operates the "Hope Delivery Wagon" through matching grants and has supported the opening of three Hope Toy Libraries. It also carries out eco-friendly management activities through the sale of eco-friendly products and campaign support.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.