'2020 Christmas Market' Closes... Accelerating Digital Transformation for Small Business Owners

Successful Conclusion of 9-Day Non-Face-to-Face and Online Consumption Promotion Events Including Live Commerce

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Cheol-hyun] The '2020 Christmas Market,' held as the last domestic consumption promotion event of the year for a total of 9 days to revitalize consumption shrunk by the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), came to a grand finale on the 27th. It is evaluated that the event supported online sales channels for small business owners while accelerating digital transformation during a period when COVID-19 is spreading again.

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups (Minister Park Young-sun, hereinafter referred to as the Ministry) announced on the 28th that the 'Merry K-mas! Live Market,' with the slogan 'Warm gifts delivered by Santa Mask,' was completed with the participation of small business owners and the support of the public.

◆Promotion of Non-face-to-face and Online Consumption = This market targeted the Christmas consumption week and was conducted as a large-scale discount and promotional event involving about 30 online platforms, 350 traditional markets, about 2,500 neighborhood supermarkets, and about 13,000 small business owners and SMEs.

Before the event started, a total of 101 products suitable for Christmas gifts were carefully selected through online voting to encourage public participation. As a non-face-to-face and online consumption promotion event, it supported small business owners' sales channels through the 'K-mas Live Commerce' special sales event, a collaboration between 'Value We Buy' and private platforms, and the 'Christmas Unique Planning Exhibition' linked with e-commerce startups, online malls, and home shopping. In 350 traditional markets nationwide, online-centered on-site live commerce broadcasts and neighborhood market shopping services were also operated.

◆Comfort and Hope Delivered through 'Santa Mask' = Considering the unprecedented COVID-19 situation this year threatening the lives of the public and the survival of small business owners, the event focused on the warm role of the Christmas Market. This included a TikTok challenge centered on the 'Santa Mask,' gift presentations to medical staff, and a Salvation Army participation campaign. Actor Park Sang-won and Jeon Hyun-hee, Chairperson of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, also sent comfort and encouragement to small business owners in Samcheong-dong as 'Secret Santas.' In the 'Healing Talk On' broadcast conducted to deliver healing and comfort to the suffering small business owners and the public, stories of small business owners overcoming hardships by working day and night were introduced.

Additionally, the 'online space' created by the Ministry in the Samcheong-ro area, including a live commerce open studio, digital shop, and unmanned sales booths, played a role in promoting and experiencing 'O2O (Online to Offline) sales,' which was unfamiliar to small business owners. Minister Park Young-sun said, "We will make Korea's Christmas Market a global 'landmark' street and a policy event for expanding sales channels for small business owners."

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