Distribution Industry Emphasizes ESG Management... Observes 'Environment Day' (Comprehensive)

Hyundai Department Store will give 5,000 points, which can be used like cash, to customers who donate five or more items such as used clothes, shoes, and bags that can be resold at all 16 stores including the Apgujeong Main Store from the 4th to the 6th. On the 3rd, employees introduced the '365 Recycle Campaign' at the Sky Garden of Hyundai Department Store Trade Center Store.

Photo by Hyundai Department Store.

[Asia Economy Reporter Yuri Kim] The distribution industry, emphasizing ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) management, is launching eco-friendly marketing in celebration of 'World Environment Day' on the 5th.

◆'Eco-friendly VIP' 'Paperless Receipt Gifts'…Encouraging Consumer Participation in Eco-friendliness

On the 3rd, Hyundai Department Store announced it will operate the '2021 First Half Eco-friendly VIP Program.' This program offers 'Green' benefits, an entry-level VIP grade, to Hyundai Department Store Card members who participate in eco-friendly activities such as donating old clothes (365 Recycle Campaign) regardless of purchase amount, twice a year (once each in the first and second half of the year). Following the industry's first introduction of the eco-friendly VIP program last year, this year the number of activities eligible for participation has been expanded to 11, and the VIP benefit period extended to three months.

During the operation period, customers who participate in five or more of the 11 major eco-friendly activities, such as 'bringing unused plastic containers,' and get certification at the customer service desks of 16 stores will receive the 'Green' grade. Benefits will be provided for three months from next month through September. 'Green' customers will receive a 5% discount (excluding some items), 3 hours of free parking, and four free coffees per month.

Shinsegae Department Store prepared 2,000 eco-bags made by recycling bedding from Chosun Hotel and pet cushions, as well as 2,000 reusable plogging bags for plogging (an environmental protection activity involving picking up trash while walking) as gifts. The eco-bags are products reborn by collecting, washing, and specially treating the highest-grade linen bedding used in the hotel.

The eco-bags and plogging bags will be given to customers who apply for electronic receipt issuance through the Shinsegae application to encourage a paperless eco-friendly shopping culture. They can be received with a purchase of 50,000 KRW or more on the same day. The pet cushions were made in collaboration with the eco-friendly brand 'Remitumi.' They will be sold in a limited quantity of 100 during the event period from the 4th to the 10th. The price is 49,000 KRW.

Shinsegae Eco-friendly Eco Bag (Photo by Shinsegae Department Store).

◆Online and Offline 'Eco-friendly Special Exhibitions' Also Emerging

Emart is also promoting eco-friendly consumption. Until the 30th, Emart will hold a 'Green Shopping' event where customers purchasing over 2,000 eco-friendly certified products including fresh, processed, daily necessities, and kitchen items at nationwide stores and Traders with cards bearing the 'Green Card' or 'Eco Money' logo will earn ten times the usual Eco Money points. Customers can accumulate Eco Money equivalent to 15-90% of the product price, and some products also offer up to 50% discount with event cards and Shinsegae points accumulation discounts, allowing customers practicing eco-friendly consumption to receive the biggest benefits of the year.

Lotte Mart will give a recyclable 'Let's Go Together Shopping Bag' to customers who purchase 10,000 KRW or more of the plastic cap-free detergent 'Mugunghwa Eco-friendly Detergent' until the 16th. The 'Eco-friendly Kitchen Detergent' (700ml each) and 'Eco-friendly Cleaner' (for kitchen use), released exclusively in collaboration with Mugunghwa, are also sold for 2,000 KRW each.

Homeplus is running a campaign until the 23rd where customers who purchase at least one item from the 'Must (必) Environment Special Exhibition' online will receive 5% mileage (up to 5,000 KRW) of the purchase amount, and an additional 1,000 mileage points when purchasing any of the four types of 'Eco Shopping Bags.'

Online mall Lotte On has opened the 'Good Consumption Changing the World Special Exhibition.' It introduces over 200 products from 19 partner companies divided into four themes: 'Eco-friendly Products' protecting the Earth, 'Social Contribution Products' warming the world, 'Animal Welfare Products' meeting high standards, and 'Capsule Coffee' creating shared value to revitalize local communities.

CJ OnStyle is fully implementing the use of 'Easy Open Tape,' first introduced in the distribution industry to commemorate Environment Day. The 'Easy Open Tape' is designed for easy tape separation, improving convenience in opening packaging and sorting for recycling. The tape has no adhesive applied on the 5mm edge, so pulling that part allows the tape to be removed from the box without a cutter.