[IFA2022] Lotte Joins IFA for the First Time with 50 SMEs... Supporting European Market Expansion

"Expansion of ESG Management Group for SME Co-prosperity"

Visitors are entering Messe Berlin, the exhibition hall for IFA 2022, Europe's largest electronics fair, held over five days from the 2nd (local time) in Berlin, Germany. (Image source=Reuters Yonhap News)

[Berlin, Germany = Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] Lotte announced on the 4th (local time) that it will participate for the first time in Europe's largest electronics fair, 'IFA 2022.' Together with about 50 domestic small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), it stepped onto the IFA stage to help these companies develop overseas sales channels.

According to Lotte, at Messe Berlin Hall 9, the IFA 2022 exhibition hall's 'Global Market,' an integrated exhibition booth featuring 50 SMEs was set up along with a 56-seat export consultation area, launching a product promotion event. The product promotion event was held on the 4th, followed by export consultation meetings with multinational buyers on the 5th and 6th, respectively.

At IFA 2022, 17 SMEs collaborating with six Lotte distribution affiliates (Home Shopping, Hi-Mart, Department Store, Mart, Duty-Free Shop, Korea Seven) and 33 newly discovered SMEs participated. Since the IFA Global Market serves as an exhibition hall for newly entering companies without trademark registration in Europe and functions as a B2B sourcing platform for manufacturers, distributors, and importers, Lotte judged that it would contribute to these companies' overseas market development and expansion.

Jung Woo-cheol, CEO of Everybot, a Lotte Home Shopping partner that exhibited the 'Threespin' robot mop, said, "As this is the first offline IFA in three years, the response from visitors and buyers from various countries who visited the booth was very positive," adding, "We hope this will lead to increased export consultations and contracts in Europe." Lee Doo-hwa, CEO of Mpyon, a Hi-Mart partner known domestically for its black boxes, said, "European people are amazed by the advanced features of the Mpyon black box HERO X, such as Full HD recording, wide dynamic range correction, night vision, lane departure, and front vehicle departure alerts," adding, "Besides the hardware performance of the black box, there are many inquiries about software collaborations like navigation solutions." Shin Young-seok, CEO of Beomil Industry, selected as a new SME this time and exhibiting an 'induction water purifier cooker (instant ramen cooker),' said, "Germans were surprised to hear that ramen, which can be easily boiled by the Han River, is very popular in Korea," adding, "Naturally, inquiries about purchasing 'K-Food' are also increasing."

These products were displayed in the integrated exhibition booth in a showroom style, divided into seven sections such as living room, kitchen, and dressing room, harmonizing naturally with the space. Visitors and buyers who scanned the QR codes in front of the products could easily check information about the products and companies. Not only home appliances but also living and beauty products compatible with home appliances were exhibited together. Choi Doo-soo, manager of Lotte Holdings CSV Team, said, "This is significant as the first integrated win-win growth project collaborated by six group distribution companies including Lotte Holdings," adding, "Since it is carried out through close cooperation between the Lotte Group, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, KOTRA, the Win-Win Growth Committee, and the Foundation for Cooperation between Large, Small, and Medium Enterprises in Agriculture and Fisheries, we hope it will greatly help in developing overseas sales channels."

This is the first time Lotte has conducted a support project for overseas market development of SMEs at the group level. Lotte is conducting the 'Lotte-Korea Brand Expo' in both Germany and the United States in cooperation with the Ministry of SMEs and Startups. About 200 SMEs are participating. Lee Gil-beom, head of KOTRA Europe Headquarters, hinted, "The status of 'K-Brand' within IFA has risen compared to the past." Ahn Sung-jun, director of KOTRA Consumer Goods, said, "We recruited about 70 European buyers centered on the European headquarters to create a venue to showcase the technological capabilities of excellent domestic SMEs to the global market."

Meanwhile, during the IFA participation period, Lotte broadcast a promotional video for the '2030 Busan World Expo' on a large screen at the front of the booth. Brochures containing the rationale for Korea's bid and 'Bellygom' reusable tumblers, which were installed on the lawn plaza of Lotte World Tower and gained popularity, were distributed to visitors. Lee Dong-kyu, ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) director of Lotte Home Shopping, said, "Lotte is expanding ESG management activities throughout the group, fulfilling social responsibility through coexistence with SMEs," adding, "We will continue to prepare cooperation and win-win plans with SMEs, focusing on Lotte distribution-related affiliates." The 'Lotte-Korea Brand Expo' will be held for the second time on September 20 and 21 in Manhattan, New York, with a total of 150 SMEs participating.

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