[Distribution Hot People] Electric Cars and Bikes Expected to Sell Well... Popular as Chuseok Gifts

Interview with Kim Sanghyun, Emart24 MD
Convenience Store Unique Gifts Receive Positive Customer Response
Targeting Top 100 Sales Within the Year

Sanghyun Kim, Product Planner (MD), Emart24 Service Platform Team.

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] "I think selling just 20 units by the Chuseok holiday would already be a success. The customer response has been good, so we have set a goal to sell up to 100 units by the end of the year."

On the afternoon of the 1st, Kim Sang-hyun, a merchandise planner (MD) from the Service Platform Team, whom I met at the Emart24 headquarters in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, said, "Honestly, we started with some doubts that sales might not happen," adding, "Originally, we planned to sell only until the Chuseok holiday, but since inquiries about the products have been steady, it was decided to continue sales through the second half of the year."

This year, Emart24 has attracted attention by launching unique Chuseok gifts such as electric cars, electric bikes, electric bicycles, and electric kickboards. Kim MD explained, "At first, we prepared these products for internal sales targeting business owners because there were benefits like government subsidies and small business support funds. However, due to the Russia-Ukraine war causing oil prices to soar and increasing interest in electric mobility, we revised the plan to sell to general customers as well."

Currently, three electric vans, eleven electric bikes, and two each of electric bicycles and electric kickboards have been sold. Purchases have been made nationwide, including in Gyeonggi Yongin, Incheon, Busan, Jeonnam, Chungnam, and Gyeongbuk. Kim MD said, "We expected most sales to occur in the Seoul and Gyeonggi areas, but there is also high demand in the provinces," adding, "I spoke with a few customers and found that inquiries about electric bikes are high due to the activation of delivery service businesses." He added, "I thought mainly men in their 30s would buy them, but that was not the case. The first electric bike buyer was a woman, which was even more surprising."

Electric bicycles and kickboards can be received within 3 to 5 days after ordering, bikes within about two weeks, and electric cars within a month. Kim MD said, "When a customer expresses purchase intent at an Emart24 store, they go through a personal information collection consent process via the POS system and leave their contact information. Then, a partner company conducts a happy call consultation and handles everything from contract to consultation and delivery."

Kim MD emphasized, "I think more unique products will come out at convenience stores in the future. As competition intensifies among companies, all MDs are focusing on launching differentiated products," adding, "New products and services reflecting customer demand will continue to be released."

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