Coupang Partners with Seoul City to Revitalize Traditional Markets

Seoul's 13 Districts and 22 Traditional Markets Launch Small Business Support Project

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Cheol-hyun] Coupang is building a new win-win model by partnering with the Seoul Metropolitan Government to deliver food from traditional market restaurants. Coupang Eats, Coupang's food delivery platform, announced on the 28th that it is collaborating with the Seoul Metropolitan Government to support onboarding education and marketing costs for traditional market merchants who are unfamiliar with online delivery, and additionally provides benefits such as delivery infrastructure, brokerage fees, and delivery fee discounts.

Coupang Eats is currently providing services to 22 markets in 13 districts, including Gwangjang Market in Jongno-gu, Gaepo Market in Gangnam-gu, Dunchon Market in Gangdong-gu, and Mangwon-dong World Cup Market in Mapo-gu, and plans to expand to 27 markets within November.

Traditional market merchants have shown high satisfaction with Coupang Eats' new delivery service. Over the past two months since August, about 250 additional stores have joined, receiving positive responses. In the case of Dunchon-dong Station traditional market, 95.5% of merchants responded that it is "helpful."

Ahead of Chuseok, a special promotion is being operated to support traditional market merchants struggling due to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). Until the 1st of next month, anyone can download and use a 2,000 KRW discount coupon for traditional markets through the traditional market banner on the Coupang Eats app. Coupang Eats bears the full cost of the discount. Customers can purchase popular foods such as Bindaetteok (mung bean pancakes) and Yukhoe (Korean beef tartare), as well as Jeon (Korean pancakes), rice cakes, and fresh produce at traditional markets at more affordable prices, while traditional markets can expect increased sales through the special promotion.

Coupang Eats plans to expand the project to traditional markets in Gyeonggi Province and Incheon City based on the project with the Seoul Metropolitan Government. Additionally, for store owners unfamiliar with online onboarding, they plan to support onboarding procedures and store-customized delivery consulting. A Coupang representative said, "We planned the service in partnership with the Seoul Metropolitan Government and traditional markets to help the domestic market and traditional market merchants, which have been depressed due to COVID-19," adding, "We will strive to build more win-win models that satisfy both customers and merchants, such as the traditional market delivery service."

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