Haenam-gun Shopping Mall 'Haenam Miso' Achieves 10 Billion Won in Sales

Record Highest Sales "Growing Rapidly by Increasing Trust through Direct Operation by Public Officials"

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Hyun] Haenam-gun, Jeollanam-do announced on the 7th that its directly managed online shopping mall ‘Haenam Miso’ has surpassed sales of 10 billion KRW.

This is the highest sales in nine years of direct management, recording sales of 10.05 billion KRW as of the end of November, already exceeding last year’s total sales of 5.3 billion KRW and showing nearly 100% growth.

In December, sales of the main product, salted napa cabbage, are expected to increase significantly, raising expectations that the sales will far exceed this year’s target of 10 billion KRW.

The achievement of 10 billion KRW in sales by Haenam Miso is a remarkable record among online shopping malls operated by local governments nationwide, and it is evaluated as having established itself as the top online shopping mall among local governments nine years after switching to direct management.

In particular, unlike most local governments that operate shopping malls through consignment, Haenam-gun formed a dedicated Haenam Miso team, and public officials directly operate the shopping mall, maintaining solid management.

All processes of shopping mall operation, including consultation, orders, and customized package production for customers, have been thoroughly managed, consistently instilling the perception that only the best products are sold.

The cost savings from public official operation, compared to consignment operation, have been returned to lowering the entry commission fees, maximizing the profits for farmers and fishermen, which has also received great support.

This year, Haenam Miso lowered the entry commission fee from 6% to 4% to help farmers and fishermen whose sales channels were blocked due to the suspension of school meals amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Additionally, this year, anticipating a significant expansion of online shopping due to the spread of COVID-19, Haenam Miso responded swiftly. The website was newly renovated to facilitate easy mobile purchases, and as the first basic local government to sign a business agreement with Kakao Commerce, it secured new customer segments and expanded sales channels.

Aggressive marketing through online channels such as KakaoTalk Store, Auction, Gmarket, and K Shopping has attracted the interest of younger generations who had no previous opportunity to encounter Haenam’s agricultural and marine products, opening new possibilities for securing sales channels for local agricultural and marine products.

The main items contributing to the 10 billion KRW sales were processed foods such as kimchi and dried sweet potatoes, accounting for 3.242 billion KRW (32.3%), followed by sweet potatoes at 1.849 billion KRW (18.4%), salted napa cabbage at 1.741 billion KRW (17.3%), and rice and grains at 1.674 billion KRW (16.7%). Seafood recorded 578 million KRW, fruits and vegetables 226 million KRW, and products like Haepung Ssukddeok (mugwort rice cake) and holiday gift sets were also popular hit products.

To commemorate reaching 10 billion KRW in sales, Haenam Miso is holding a special event from the 7th to the 18th as a token of gratitude. Along with discount events on entry agricultural and marine specialty products, 100 customers will be selected to receive prizes. Customers can participate in Haenam Miso purchases and the prize event.

County Governor Myeong Hyun-gwan stated, “Haenam Miso has been striving to faithfully serve as a reliable source of clean Haenam agricultural and marine specialty products for customers and as a strong supporter for farmers and fishermen,” adding, “We deeply appreciate reaching 10 billion KRW in sales and will work even harder to become the number one directly managed shopping mall nationwide.”

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