SSG.com lowers bar for free fresh food delivery service

SSG.com launched a new delivery membership service ‘Shinsegae Universe SSG Delivery Club’. [Courtesy of SSG.com]

SSG.com, an online marketplace run by South Korea’s Shinsegae Group, launched a new fresh food membership service on Monday, offering lower free delivery thresholds, to compete with other players.

SSG.com launched the Shinsegae Universe SSG Delivery Club, a grocery-focused membership catering to customers who prefer to shop for food and daily necessities.

This new service reduces the conditions for free delivery and increases discount benefits. The existing Shinsegae Universe Club will continue for customers who desire discounts across a broader range of products.

The SSG Delivery Club will provide members with three free delivery coupons and three 8 percent discount coupons each month, applicable to both SSG Delivery and dawn delivery products.

Free delivery coupons can be used for orders over 14,900 won, which is lower compared to Coupang Rocket Fresh’s 15,000 won and Kurly’s 20,000 won thresholds.

The membership also includes benefits from the Shinsegae Universe Club, such as group company discounts, free returns for department store products, and access to member-exclusive deals.

To celebrate the launch, the annual membership fee is set at just 10,000 won. New members will receive a 15,000 won shopping credit immediately upon joining, which can be used in increments of 5,000 won per order on SSG Delivery and dawn delivery products.

A variety of promotional events will be held in conjunction with the SSG Delivery Club until August 11.

These events include discounts of up to 50 percent on top brands for all SSG Delivery Club and Shinsegae Universe Club members, offering special prices on popular items like CGV movie tickets, Baskin Robbins, Coca-Cola Zero, Powerade, Buldak Bokkeummyeon, Spam Classic, and Beksul Olive Oil.

SSG.com’s new membership launch is seen as a strategic move ahead of Coupang’s upcoming price increase for its membership service in August.

Starting August 7, Coupang will raise its Wow Membership monthly fee from 4,990 won to 7,890 won. This price hike has led some members to announce plans to leave Coupang.

In response, not only SSG.com but also competitors like Gmarket and Kurly are enhancing their membership services to attract these potential Coupang defectors.