Gmarket partners with SK telecom’s T Universe

[Courtesy of Gmarket Inc.]

Gmarket Inc., an e-commerce subsidiary of South Korea’s Shinsegae Group, announced on Monday that it has partnered with SK telecom Co. to introduce its subscription service T Universe to members of the Shinsegae Universe Club.

The announcement has generated significant attention in the retail industry as Gmarket is a direct competitor to 11Street Co., an e-commerce company whose major shareholder is SK square Co., an investment arm that spun off from SK telecom.

Gmarket confirmed Monday its collaboration with SK telecom, saying that it will provide the Shinsegae Universe Club’s perks via T Universe.

In addition to the shopping benefits, the new subscription plan will offer a range of extras, including access to online video streaming services, dining discounts, and café perks.

Subscribers to T Universe will be able to enjoy all the benefits of the Shinsegae Universe Club, which includes services across six Shinsegae Group companies, both online and offline.

A notable feature of this collaboration is that users can opt for a monthly subscription instead of the traditional annual membership of the Shinsegae Universe Club.

The partnership has raised questions about SK telecom’s strategy, as it is uncommon for a company to include a competitor’s services in its own subscription package.

With this move, T Universe subscribers will now have an alternative e-commerce option—Gmarket—alongside 11Street, creating more choices for users.