Exclusive Sales Store for Small and Medium Enterprises Products 'I'm Shopping.' Photo by Small and Medium Business Distribution Center
[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Junhyung] The Small and Medium Business Distribution Center announced on the 21st that it plans to open and directly operate a 'Duty-Free Shop Exclusively for Small and Medium Enterprise Products' at Incheon International Airport within this year.
The Small and Medium Business Distribution Center previously operated stores in a shop-in-shop format at three locations, including City Duty-Free and SM Duty-Free. However, store operations were suspended due to delays in selecting small and medium-sized duty-free operators and SM Duty-Free's withdrawal from the duty-free business.
In response, the Distribution Center promoted the duty-free shop project exclusively for small and medium enterprise products through interdepartmental collaboration with the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and the Korea Customs Service. As a result, they agreed with Incheon International Airport Corporation to change the existing duty-free business rights operated by small and medium-sized operators to 'Incheon International Airport Small and Medium Enterprise Products' and to newly establish and promote the business rights.
The Distribution Center plans to directly operate the newly established duty-free shop to provide opportunities to more small businesses and small merchants. A separate experience zone accessible to airport users will gather digital new technology products and idea items to attract many customers.
Jung Jinsoo, CEO of the Small and Medium Business Distribution Center, said, "We will open the duty-free shop within this year," adding, "By directly operating the airport duty-free shop, which is the most preferred store for small businesses, we will help small businesses struggling due to COVID-19 to develop sales channels."
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