Baemin offers free membership to entice customers

[Photo by Yonhap]

South Korea food delivery app Baedal Minjok (Baemin) announced on Tuesday that it is launching its new subscription service, ‘Baemin Club,’ that offers free delivery to subscribers.

According to Baemin’s operator, Woowa Brothers, subscribers can enjoy unlimited free deliveries for multi-order services known as ‘Economy Delivery.’ For single-order deliveries, where food is delivered quickly to a single location, the delivery fee will be lowered to below 1,000 won.

Woowa Brothers said additional delivery charges based on distance will also be free, provided the order meets the minimum amount set by the restaurant. Free or discount Baemin coupons can be applied concurrently with this service.

While Baemin Club is currently free during the trial period, a subscription fee will be introduced moving forward. “The exact timing and amount of the subscription fee has not been determined as of yet,” a company official said.

Baemin’s introduction of a subscription service comes as a response to the rapid growth of its competitor, Coupang Eats. In terms of single-order delivery services, Baemin’s Baemin1 and Coupang Eats are engaging in a fierce competition for market share in the Seoul metropolitan area. Currently, around 70 percent of Baemin’s orders come from ‘Restaurant Delivery,’ where restaurants deliver directly to consumers via delivery agencies.

Woowa Brothers reportedly decided to introduce the subscription service as part of its strategy to enhance profitability.