Korean traditional markets gain vitality with Coupang Eats

Cheonjimanna owner Park Gang-suk, left and Coupang Eats official. [Courtesy of Coupang]

Many traditional markets in South Korea are gaining new life thanks to Coupang Inc.’s delivery app service.

According to the Small Enterprise and Market Service, the number of traditional markets in Korea fell to 1,300 last year from 1,610 in 2006 as popularity drops, with mainly elderly consumers.

In recent months, however, the markets are garnering attention as they partner with food delivery apps such as Coupang Eats.

According to Coupang on Tuesday, 135 traditional markets have joined the traditional market revitalization program run by Coupang Eats since August 2020.

A total of 1,600 stores have joined the e-commerce platform through Coupang Eats. Last year, only 300 stores from 52 traditional markets had participated in the program.

The turnaround is attributed to the sharp increase in sales for traditional markets stores that have joined Coupang Eats.

Stores participating in the program saw their sales increase by 20 percent in the first half of this year compared to the same period a year ago, according to Coupang.

“We continuously feature small business stores participating in the program at the top of the app,” said a Coupang Eats official. “We also provide support, such as professional photography and editing, to help them establish a stable online presence.”

Coupang Eats’ support comes in various forms.

A restaurant that serves mandoo, or Korean dumpling, called Cheonjimanna in Dongducheon Central Market in Gyeonggi Province has seen a 30 percent increase in sales since joining Coupang Eats last month.

The business received various sales support after Dongducheon Small Business Association signed a win-win agreement to revitalize traditional markets with Coupang last month.

Its sales increased significantly in just one month.

Cheonjimanna uses eco-friendly packaging materials provided by Coupang Eats. It received customized training to facilitate online sales.