"It is the right time to establish a 'T-Commerce Channel' exclusively for small and medium enterprises"

Korea Federation of SMEs and Korea Society of Small Business Policy, Policy Forum
Proposal to Establish 'T-Commerce' for Securing Market Channels for SMEs and Ventures

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] The small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector has raised the necessity of establishing a new 'T-commerce channel' to expand sales routes.

The Korea Federation of SMEs, in collaboration with the Small and Medium Venture Business Policy Association, held a policy forum titled "Policy Measures to Expand Sales Channels for Small and Venture Businesses" on the 23rd at the National Assembly Members' Office Building. The forum was attended by Han Mu-gyeong, a member of the People Power Party, Jeong Yun-mo, Executive Vice President of the Korea Federation of SMEs, and Kim Yong-jin, President of the Small and Medium Venture Business Policy Association, among others.

The event was organized to discuss the necessity of establishing a T-commerce channel for SMEs that produce excellent products with outstanding technology but face difficulties in securing sales channels.

T-commerce is a term combining television and commerce, referring to an interactive service that allows viewers to check product information and make purchases using a dedicated remote control without using a phone while watching TV.

Professor Lee Jeong-hee of Chung-Ang University, who presented at the forum, delivered a presentation on "Measures to Expand T-commerce for the Expansion of Sales Channels for Small and Venture Businesses."

Professor Lee diagnosed, "The MZ generation, emerging as a new consumer group, actively searches for products to purchase using smart devices and prefers purchasing platforms that enable real-time interactive communication, such as live commerce."

She added, "Now, when consumers are reducing outdoor activities and living at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, strengthening the so-called 'homebody economy,' it is the right time to establish a dedicated T-commerce channel exclusively for SMEs."

Professor Lee proposed expanding sales channels for small enterprises, startups, and small business owners by establishing a dedicated T-commerce channel handling only SME products on public home shopping channels with strong public nature, such as Home&Shopping and Gongyoung Shopping.

Vice President Jeong said, "T-commerce is a communication channel that allows products to be easily promoted and sold, making it a more suitable platform for SMEs and small business owners with weak capital power," adding, "We hope that the establishment of a dedicated T-commerce channel for SMEs will create new sales routes in line with the times."