SEOUL, Jan. 27 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s luxury department stores are increasingly reliant on high-spending VIP customers, with their contribution to total sales surpassing 50% at some retailers in 2024, reflecting a growing polarization in consumer behavior amid economic challenges. According to industry data released on January 26, VIP customers accounted for 51% of sales [...]
SEOUL, Jan. 27 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s e-commerce sector saw a challenging 2024, with economic pressures leading to reduced consumer spending across platforms. Despite these headwinds and competition from Chinese e-commerce players like AliExpress and Temu, Coupang and SSG.com maintained strong customer loyalty, according to data released on January 26 by analytics firm IGAWorks. SSG.com [...]
SEOUL, Jan. 22 (Korea Bizwire) — With just one month remaining until South Korea’s much-debated delivery fee reform takes effect, questions over its effectiveness are growing. Opposition from franchise operators and the rise of “dual pricing” systems among small business owners are fueling concerns that the reform could exacerbate, rather than resolve, industry tensions. Critics [...]
SEOUL, Jan. 22 (Korea Bizwire) — Members of South Korea’s National Assembly sharply criticized Coupang Inc.’s founder Kim Bom-suk for his absence from a parliamentary hearing on January 21 focused on improving working conditions for the e-commerce giant’s delivery workers, particularly regarding late-night labor practices. The hearing, held by the Environment and Labor Committee, was attended [...]
SEOUL, Jan. 22 (Korea Bizwire) — Coupang, one of South Korea’s largest e-commerce companies, has admitted to maintaining an employment blacklist affecting over 16,000 individuals, following revelations by MBC in February 2024. This marks the first time the company has publicly acknowledged the controversial list, which allegedly barred reemployment of workers and even included journalists critical [...]
SEOUL, Jan. 21 (Korea Bizwire) — Industrial accident claims from delivery service workplaces increased dramatically last year, reaching approximately 1,500 cases – nearly five times the number reported in 2020, according to new government data. The figures, released on January 20 by the Korea Workers’ Compensation & Welfare Service and analyzed by Rep. Kim Wi-sang of [...]
SEOUL, Jan. 17 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s home shopping industry is rapidly evolving its delivery services and diversifying business models to align with changing consumer trends, aiming to boost competitiveness and profitability through personalized services. Expanded Delivery Services Leading home shopping companies are enhancing their delivery systems through strategic partnerships with logistics firms. On January [...]
SEOUL, Jan. 15, 2025 — South Korea’s Ministry of Employment and Labor has ruled that Coupang delivery drivers, known as Quick Flexers, are not classified as employees under the Labor Standards Act, effectively ending allegations of illegal subcontracting against the e-commerce giant. The decision follows an investigation prompted by the death of delivery driver Jeong [...]
SEOUL, Jan. 13 (Korea Bizwire) — In a maturing streaming market, success increasingly depends not just on compelling content but on strategic partnerships between diverse media players. Netflix’s recent strategic alliance with SBS to offer the broadcaster’s programs to Korean subscribers and Disney+’s unprecedented decision to premiere its hit series “Moving” on MBC television exemplify this [...]
SEOUL, Jan. 12 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s decision to designate January 27 as a temporary public holiday has extended the Lunar New Year break to six consecutive days, sparking a surge in travel demand while causing concerns among small business owners in the food and beverage industry. The travel industry is witnessing a sharp increase [...]