Department Store Selling 'Subscription Passes' as Chuseok Holiday Gifts

Shinsegae Department Store Launches Regular Flower and Fruit Delivery Service
Subscription Service Users More Than Double Amid COVID-19 Spread
Set Boxes Priced at 10,000 Won with Custom Selection, Also Introducing Premium SPA Vouchers

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Hye-seon] Amid the recent spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the 'subscription economy,' which allows customers to receive necessary products at their doorstep without visiting stores in person, is gaining attention. In this context, Shinsegae Department Store has launched subscription vouchers for the first time as holiday gift sets.

On the 7th, Shinsegae Department Store announced, "We have prepared flower and fruit subscription vouchers as Chuseok gift sets." The fruit subscription delivery service costs 45,000 KRW per delivery or 180,000 KRW per month, and every Thursday, a Shinsegae Department Store fruit buyer carefully selects 3 to 5 seasonal fruits (worth about 200,000 KRW per month) to be delivered to the customer's doorstep. The fruit subscription, first introduced at Shinsegae Department Store Gangnam branch in May, not only includes the fruits but also tips on selecting fruits, storage methods for each fruit, delicious eating tips, and a fruit guide written directly by the buyer to enhance customer satisfaction. The department store explained that the number of subscribers increased by 150% within three months of the service launch.

The Shinsegae Department Store fruit subscription gift can be purchased by the first 30 customers during the main sales period (September 14 to 29) at the fruit gift corner of the Shinsegae Gangnam branch.

There is also a flower subscription delivery service. Delivery is limited to the metropolitan area, and from October to December, customers can receive one of air-purifying foliage plants, fresh flowers, or orchid plants monthly as a holiday gift. The vouchers are sold to the first 100 customers at Jane Parker stores located on the basement first floor of Shinsegae Department Store’s main and Gangnam branches, with a 3-month subscription costing 500,000 KRW.

Recipients can visit the Jane Parker store to apply using the voucher’s serial number, provide the delivery address, and select the desired plant before using the service.

For the first time, customized products considering the recipient are also introduced. A gift set where customers purchase a 10,000 KRW box and then select and pack their preferred products will be launched. This 'customizing' gift set, which assembles products such as wine, oil, and pasta?ambient foods?into a Shinsegae gift box, will be offered this Chuseok.

Holiday gifts that can heal hearts tired from COVID-19 have also been prepared.

Premium European spa brand Omorovicza spa vouchers will be sold as Chuseok gifts at gift certificate shops in each Shinsegae Department Store branch. The Omorovicza spa voucher, valid for a single-person exclusive use at the Westin Chosun Hotel in Seoul and the Sea Mark Hotel in Gangneung, is available at a 10% discount for 158,000 KRW (60 minutes). Additionally, the voucher can be used for up to six months from the purchase date.

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