The operator of Kakao Talk began the debit card service in January to enter the offline payment business. While Kakao Corp. was already working with commercial banks and credit card firms, it decided to issue its own cards to enable offline use by more than 20 million Kakao Talk subscribers. (Image: Kakao Corp.)
SEOUL, April 13 (Korea Bizwire) – Kakao Corp., a major mobile messenger service provider, said Friday it issued some 500,000 debit cards during the 90 days since the cards were launched.
The operator of Kakao Talk began the debit card service in January to enter the offline payment business. While Kakao Corp. was already working with commercial banks and credit card firms, it decided to issue its own cards to enable offline use by more than 20 million Kakao Talk subscribers.
The biggest customer group was women in their 20s, who accounted for 30 percent. Men in their 20s (23 percent) were the next biggest group, followed by men in their 30s (16 percent) and women in their 30s (14 percent). People in their 40s and 50s accounted for 15 percent, according to the company.
Customers used the card most often at restaurants and other eateries (36 percent), followed by convenience stores and marts (24 percent).
85 percent of purchases were offline, with customers using the debit card 13.1 times monthly on average.
(Yonhap)
