National Geographic, Leading Alone, Breaks Through COVID-19 for Second Half Contest Announcement

[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] The Nature Holdings, which operates National Geographic Apparel, is pushing forward with its plan to list on the KOSDAQ amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The company plans to break through head-on by expanding its overseas business despite the global market contraction.

On the 25th, a representative from The Nature Holdings stated, "We have not yet received the preliminary listing review results from the exchange, but we plan to proceed with the public offering within the second half of the year once the results are out." They added, "Since opening a standalone store in Hong Kong last August, we achieved sales of 120 million KRW within just one month, showing early success. This year, we plan to expand sales channels starting with Taiwan and then Australia."

The Nature Holdings filed for a preliminary review for listing on the KOSDAQ market with the Korea Exchange on March 31 and has embarked on an initial public offering (IPO). According to the Korea Exchange, the review results are expected early next month. The Nature Holdings plans to start the public offering schedule as soon as the review is approved. Despite major fashion companies turning to losses in the first quarter due to the impact of COVID-19 and investment sentiment freezing, the company intends to push forward without delay.

The funds raised through the listing will be invested in expanding overseas businesses in Taiwan, Australia, and other markets. CEO Youngjun Park of The Nature Holdings devoted significant effort to overseas expansion, spending half of last year abroad. National Geographic Apparel, which opened a standalone store in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, last August, plans to open additional standalone stores in Macau within the year. After Taiwan, the company will expand its target markets to Australia.

Founded in 2004, The Nature Holdings holds an official license with the U.S. nonprofit foundation National Geographic and operates the total lifestyle brand National Geographic Apparel. Amid a shrinking outdoor market, the company rapidly grew its business by targeting the young demographic aged 10 to 20, surpassing 240 billion KRW in sales last year. Sixty percent of all National Geographic Apparel buyers are millennials, and including Generation Z, buyers aged 10 to 20 account for 74% of the total.