Over 1,700 Traditional Markets Nationwide Join the 'Korea Together Sale'

Prizes Worth 100 Million KRW, Free Shipping, Discount Coupons, and More Exciting Benefits

During last year's 'Korea Together Sale' event period, Seoul's Mangwon Market was bustling with citizens. / Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jonghwa] The Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced that over 1,700 traditional markets and shopping districts nationwide will participate in the "Korea Together Sale," an 18-day event from the 24th of this month to the 11th of next month, aimed at overcoming the COVID-19 crisis and boosting consumption.

Various programs will be conducted to increase sales at traditional markets, including special sales events focused on non-face-to-face and online channels, offering abundant benefits to customers. Additionally, on-site events will be held for elderly merchants and customers who have limited online accessibility.

The highlight of the "Korea Together Sale" program held at traditional markets is the "Virtual Reality (VR) Traditional Market Hall." This VR market hall gathers representative products from traditional markets in one place, allowing customers to virtually tour the market as if visiting in person and purchase products. It features 147 products from 61 traditional markets nationwide.

Customers who purchase through the VR Traditional Market Hall will receive a 10% discount coupon, free shipping, and prizes through a lottery. When using the mobile Onnuri gift certificate, customers can enjoy up to a 20% price reduction (10% from the Onnuri gift certificate and 10% from the coupon).

The VR Traditional Market Hall also provides video information about the products and local attractions of the respective markets to encourage customers to visit the traditional markets in person later, offering an additional layer of enjoyment. The VR Traditional Market Hall can be explored on the "Market愛" event page.

An online shopping event is also underway, where customers can order products from over 130 traditional markets and 4,000 stores nationwide with no shipping fee and receive them within two hours. Participation is possible through four platforms: Neighborhood Market Shopping, Come to the Market, Jangbayo, and Jongnyangje.com. Additionally, ten online traditional market halls, including Post Office Traditional Market and Onnuri Traditional Market Hall, will hold special sales events with discounts of up to 60%.

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups has also prepared a large-scale prize event worth 100 million KRW for merchants without an online sales base. During the Together Sale period, customers who spend more than 50,000 KRW in a traditional market on the same day will be entered into a daily lottery, where 70 winners per day, totaling 1,260 people, will receive 50,000 KRW Onnuri gift certificates in the "Everyday Together with Traditional Markets" event.

During the 18-day event, customers who spend a total of more than 100,000 KRW will be entered into a lottery to win large home appliances in the "Shop at Traditional Markets and Grab Hot Home Appliances" event. Appliances such as clothing stylers and dryers will be awarded. Details on how to apply can be found on the "Market愛" page.

Minister Kwon Chil-seung of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups said, "If every citizen takes an interest in traditional markets, these markets will be able to overcome COVID-19 early." He added, "Traditional markets are striving to provide high-quality services such as online expansion, creating clean markets, and customer service training to repay the public's interest. We ask citizens to visit traditional markets, which are rich in sights, food, and entertainment."