Kakao Expands 'Our Neighborhood Favorite Market' Project to 10 Traditional Markets Nationwide

The appearance of Sinyeong Market in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, selected as Our Neighborhood Favorite Market last June

[Asia Economy Reporter Seungjin Lee] Kakao is expanding its support for the digital transformation of traditional market merchants nationwide.

Kakao's corporate foundation, Kakao Impact, announced that from the 29th, it will recruit 10 traditional markets to participate in the 'Our Neighborhood Favorite Market' program, which helps small business owners in traditional markets with digital transformation and communication, for a period of two weeks.

As one of the coexistence plans of the Kakao community utilizing a total fund of 300 billion KRW over five years, Kakao is conducting the 'Soshin Merchant Project' to support merchants nationwide who run their businesses with conviction to secure loyal customers through KakaoTalk channels and carry out various mobile marketing activities.

The 'Our Neighborhood Favorite Market' program, now expanding nationwide, is part of the Soshin Merchant Project. Together with the online knowledge education platform MKYU (MK&You University), it supports traditional market merchants in creating loyal customers and communicating through KakaoTalk channels.

MKYU's digital tutors stationed within traditional markets provide education for merchants' digital transformation, including online customer service response and how to use smart chatting. Merchants who participate in the training receive a 'Favorite Market Operation Kit' that supports KakaoTalk channel message costs. In June, the project took its first step by selecting Shinyoung Market in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, and now the target is expanded to 10 traditional markets nationwide.

Traditional markets wishing to participate can download the necessary application documents from the 'Market Recruitment' menu on the Our Neighborhood Favorite Market campaign website and submit them via email by September 13. Kakao Impact plans to select and announce 10 traditional markets in October after a screening process.

Yuk Simna, Head of Kakao ESG Business Office, stated, "We are expanding the Our Neighborhood Favorite Market project nationwide so that traditional market merchants who run their businesses with conviction can succeed by utilizing digital technology. We will strive to widely promote the excellent products and pride of Soshin merchants by leveraging Kakao's technological capabilities."

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