Ministry of SMEs Partners with Idus Operator 'Backpacker'
Supporting Small Business Owners with Flagship Store
Store Opening Next Month at Interpark Bluesquare
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] The government and private online platforms have joined forces to operate stores selling products from small business owners.
On the 15th, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups opened the 'Small Business Flagship Store' in collaboration with Backpacker, which operates the handmade goods specialized online shopping mall 'Idus,' at Ssamziegil in Insadong, Seoul.
The Small Business Flagship Store is a combined online and offline store as part of the digital transformation of small business owners, and it is a new project by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups worth 6 billion KRW this year.
An official from the Ministry of SMEs and Startups explained, "While the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the digital economy, and digital and online capabilities determine the survival and growth of companies, most small business owners have been weak in responding."
The purpose of the Small Business Flagship Store project is to lower the entry barriers for small business owners into online and offline channels by having private distributors install and operate sales stores.
This Small Business Flagship Store consists of a sales store at Ssamziegil in Insadong, office facilities in Hongdae, Seogyo-dong, and a dedicated online mall section within the Idus application. Next month, a store will also open inside Blue Square in Hannam-dong through Interpark.
Backpacker plans to discover about 2,000 excellent small business products annually and provide comprehensive support throughout the entire process, including education and consulting, prototype production and testing, promotion, and sales.
Kim Seo-jeong, CEO of Tuliptwo, a small business owner participating in the store, said, "While comforting small business owners nationwide who are struggling due to COVID-19, I hope the opening of Sodamsanghoe will be an opportunity to boost their morale and demonstrate a formula for success."
Minister Kwon Chil-seung of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups stated, "I hope the opening of this store will support small business owners who have endured pain and sacrifice and serve as a turning point for their recovery and revitalization."
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