Hanssem Waives Entry Fees for Small Business Owners on 'Hanssem Mall'

Strengthening Support Systems for Alleyway Commercial Districts Including Dealerships and Small Businesses
Introduction of a 'Flat-Rate Commission System' for Win-Win Large Stores and Preparation of 'Startup Dealership Support Plan'
Hanssem Mall Waives Entry Fees for Small Businesses and Supports 'Digital Transformation'

A Hanssem home care disinfection specialist is conducting disinfection at a small business store.
[Photo by Hanssem]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jong-hwa] Hanssem Co., Ltd., the leading furniture company, has strengthened its win-win management system by exempting entry fees and supporting digital transformation when small business owners enter Hanssem Mall.

On the 25th, Hanssem announced that it will establish a win-win system that can practically help dealerships, small business owners, and consumers, and newly promote alley market win-win systems such as 'dealership growth support and fair trade expansion,' 'small business digital transformation support,' and 'consumer rights protection realization' to strengthen a virtuous cycle of mutual growth.

The new win-win support system Hanssem is launching this year includes, for dealerships, ▲introduction and reduction of a 'fixed commission system' for win-win large stores ▲commission support for startup dealerships ▲operation of a dealership complaint reception center; for small business owners, ▲exemption of commissions for co-developed products ▲support for online sales channels for small business owners. Additionally, for partners, ▲expansion of cash payments for goods, and for consumers, ▲establishment of a consumer complaint zero deliberation committee ▲expansion of social contribution for residential environment improvement are planned.

Win-win with Dealerships

The win-win system for dealerships was newly established to support dealership growth and establish a culture of fair trade. First, from January this year, to reduce the commission burden on dealerships, the commission policy of 26 nationwide win-win large stores was reorganized into a 'fixed commission system.' Through this system reform, more than half of the Rehouse dealerships are expected to reduce their commission burden.

A 'Startup Dealership Support System' was also newly established to help early-stage dealership owners commercialize their businesses. 10% of the entry quota for each win-win large store is provided to startup dealership owners, and 50% of the commission is supported by the headquarters. Hanssem plans to expand the number of win-win large stores to 50 this year, and the number of new dealership owners benefiting from the startup support system is expected to increase accordingly.

Furthermore, to promptly remedy damages caused by unfair practices to dealerships, a 'Dealership Complaint Reception Center' will be operated under the supervision of the audit office. Dealerships can submit complaints anytime through the Hanssem website, and this reception window is scheduled to open in the first quarter of this year.

Store exterior of 'Hanssem Rehouse Large Showroom Hanssem Design Park Starfield Anseong Branch' for win-win cooperation with dealerships. Photo by Hanssem

Win-win with Small Business Owners

To promote win-win with small business owners, Hanssem will expand investments to help small business owners digitally transform through its own online mall, Hanssem Mall. For 'micro small business owners' with annual sales under 500 million KRW who are vulnerable to using online platforms, Hanssem will form joint development partnerships and exempt entry fees paid to headquarters for up to one year.

Additional support will be provided for product development, product photography, and consulting for online market entry, as well as expanding sales channels to external distribution channels. Moreover, Hanssem plans to more than double the number of co-developed products and small business owner products listed on Hanssem Mall, increasing them to over 1,000 by 2023.

Win-win with Consumers

Lastly, in line with the corporate philosophy that prioritizes customer satisfaction, Hanssem will establish a 'Consumer Complaint Zero Deliberation Committee' to quickly address customer complaints. Centered on the Consumer Protection Office, a dedicated organization for customer satisfaction, responsible persons from purchasing, development, construction, manufacturing, and other departments will gather to actively resolve customer complaint issues. Additionally, through the residential environment improvement social contribution project 'Dream Together,' various activities will be introduced to support single-parent families and low-income groups.

Meanwhile, last year, Hanssem paid 50 billion KRW in cash for goods to help partners' smooth fund operation and additionally created a 10 billion KRW 'Win-win Fund (Hanssem Partner Co-growth Cooperative Loan)' to support low-interest loans for partners and dealerships.

Considering that small business dealerships lack infrastructure for employee recruitment and training, the headquarters also supports dealership employee recruitment and systematic training for interior design experts. Furthermore, Hanssem has continued various win-win activities with alley markets, such as providing free disinfection services to dealerships and small business stores struggling due to COVID-19.

Hansung Soo Kang, Chairman of Hanssem, said, "Hanssem has actively supported dealerships so that they can provide excellent quality and services to customers, writing a history of mutual growth between dealerships and headquarters. We will continue to spread the corporate win-win philosophy, create excellent cases of win-win management with dealerships, partners, and small business owners, and fulfill our social responsibilities as a leading company in the domestic home interior sector."