eBay Korea Offers Up to 15% Discount on Books Through 'Smile' Service

[Asia Economy Reporter Seungjin Lee] As the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic and extended rainy season have increased the number of people staying at home, demand for books through online channels has significantly risen.

eBay Korea announced on the 19th that the transaction amount in the book category on Gmarket, Auction, and G9 from July 1 to August 17 increased by 57% compared to the same period last year. In particular, the transaction amount for books related to infants, children, and homeschooling grew by 126% during the same period.

eBay Korea analyzed that the demand for books for homeschooling and bookcations has greatly increased due to the combined effects of COVID-19, summer vacation, and preparation for the second semester.

Meanwhile, reflecting this demand, eBay Korea offers book benefits through the ‘Smile’ series services that cover the entire shopping experience, including the easy payment service ‘SmilePay’, membership program ‘SmileClub’, and dedicated delivery service ‘Smile Delivery’.

Until August 31, customers who make their first payment of 50,000 KRW or more at ‘Woongjin Bookstore’ using the easy payment service SmilePay will immediately receive 5,000 SmileCash. Woongjin Bookstore is a specialized mall handling various infant and child books such as complete collections for infants, character storybooks, and classic picture books. Additionally, customers can earn 0.5% SmileCash (up to 5,000 KRW) every time they pay with SmilePay.

SmileClub members can use YES24’s unlimited monthly e-book subscription service ‘Book Club’ free of charge for up to 2 months. They are also provided with exclusive 15% discount coupons (up to 3,000 KRW) for book products and 10% discount coupons (up to 10,000 KRW) for infant and child books.

At the ‘Smile Delivery Zone’, where orders placed by 8 PM today can be received tomorrow, a promotion for infant and child books for SmileClub members is being held until August 31.

Six popular brands including Applebee, Pinkfong, and Gilbut School are participating, and SmileClub members who pay 7,000 KRW or more for books from these brands using Hyundai (Smile)/KB/Woori/BC/Shinhan/Samsung cards will receive an immediate discount of up to 15%. Discounts can be received daily up to 100,000 KRW without any limit on the number of times.

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