Korea Airports Corporation Supports Small Business Market Expansion at Airports "Building Growth Ladder"

Special Exhibition: Discount Sales of Products Made by Small Manufacturers and Social Enterprises at Over 10 Domestic Airports

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Je-hoon] Korea Airports Corporation is stepping up to support market development for small business owners and social economy organizations struggling due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

On the 5th, Korea Airports Corporation announced that on the 4th, it formed a Growth Ladder Council for Small Business Owners and Social Economy Organizations (Growth Ladder Council) connecting tenants at Gimpo, Gimhae, and Jeju International Airports with airports nationwide, and held a "Special Exhibition for Social Value Product Sales" at its headquarters in Gangseo-gu, Seoul.

The Growth Ladder Council includes participants such as the Jeju Free International City Development Center (IDC), Korea Social Enterprise Promotion Agency, and tenants from various airports nationwide including Lotte and Shilla Duty Free Shops.

Korea Airports Corporation planned this council and special exhibition to support the growth of small business owners and social economy organizations who produce quality products but have been unable to find sales channels due to the COVID-19 crisis. The initiative aims to lead "value-based consumption (Buy Social)" through airport infrastructure.

Accordingly, Korea Airports Corporation will hold this special exhibition at 18 stores located in 10 airports nationwide, including Gimpo, Gimhae, and Jeju Airports, until December 3rd, offering over 400 products from small business owners and social enterprises at discounted prices. Furthermore, starting next month, dedicated display shelves for small business owners will be installed at airport tenants, selling value-based consumption products in a shop-in-shop format where tenants select items from a recommended list.

Under this cooperative system, suppliers can share sales channels with low commission fees, airport tenants receive full support for additional sales, and Korea Airports Corporation will use the sales revenue to fund support projects for small business owners and social economy enterprises, establishing a win-win system.

Korea Airports Corporation is also considering plans such as dedicated staffed and unmanned permanent stores and kiosk-style unmanned sales points to continue supporting small business owners and social economy enterprises. Son Chang-wan, President of Korea Airports Corporation, stated, "The Growth Ladder support project is significant in that it provides small businesses with opportunities to sell products and offers travelers the joy of value-based consumption," adding, "We will expand various cooperative projects to establish airports as warm and welcoming spaces."

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