KBO Store opens in Gangnam as Office Depot goes for total makeover

Office Depot in Korea is transforming its Sinsa Nonhyeon branch in Gangnam District, southern Seoul to the official "KBO Store," the office goods supplier said in a press release Thursday.

A photo of the Office Depot ″KBO Store″ set to open Friday in Gangnam District, southern Seoul. [OFFICE DEPOT]

One longtime supplier of paper and pens is trading its printer ink for racks of Korean baseball merch.

Office Depot is transforming its Sinsa Nonhyeon branch in Gangnam District, southern Seoul to the official "KBO Store," the Korea Baseball Organization said in a press release Thursday.

The first-ever Office Depot-backed KBO flagship is set to open Friday, decked out with merch for the league's 10 teams, including uniforms, hats, pennants and other kinds of apparel and accessories.

Office Depot opened a "KBO Zone," selling gear and branded items, as a section of its Seolleung Station branch in southern Seoul in July, ahead of the All-Star weekend. The retailer opened KBO Zones at 11 other locations following the All-Star games on July 5 and 6.

Office Depot and the KBO in June signed a memorandum of understanding to “promote joint marketing” and seemingly rebrand Office Depot as something bigger than an office supply depot, expanding its reach into the lifestyle market.

Office Depot stores in Korea use the name and brand of the American office supplies seller but have operated as a separate business since Office Depot, Inc. sold its Korean operation in 2017.

Alongside merch for any Doosan Bears or Hanwha Eagles or Lotte Giants fan, the KBO Store will also have photo zones modeled after locker rooms, as well as a pitching zone where fans might want to practice their fastballs.

Office Depot is set to hold an official opening ceremony in September and will continue working with the baseball league to make the KBO a "center of lifestyle enjoyed anytime, anywhere," according to the press release.

BY MARY YANG [mary.yang@joongang.co.kr]