Mobilizing All Available Resources for Traditional Markets, Small Business Owners, and Self-Employed
Training Professionals to Prevent Resident Damage from 'Voice Phishing' and More
[Asia Economy Reporter La Youngcheol] Gangwon Province announced on the 19th that "with the lifting of social distancing measures triggered by COVID-19, it will actively implement policies to boost sales for small business owners."
The province plans to mobilize all available resources to operate various online and offline sales promotion programs year-round targeting traditional markets, small business owners, and self-employed individuals who have been depressed due to COVID-19, aiming to revitalize the local economy.
To attract tourists visiting Chuncheon, such as those coming to Legoland and Samaksan Cable Car, to the downtown commercial district, the province plans to sequentially open weekend night markets including the 'Chuncheon Myeongdong Fun Fun Playground' which opened on the 11th, Taebaek Jungang-ro shopping street, Gangneung Jumunjin Fish Market (on July 9 and July 16), Chuncheon Beongae Market, and Yanggu Jungang Market.
Additionally, the province will conduct lively marketing campaigns linking cultural events with payback (refund) promotions, touring 15 traditional markets across cities and counties every month.
Ahead of the Qatar World Cup held in November, leveraging search rate effects, the province will hold the 'Gangwon Province Traditional Market Food World Cup' until November to promote representative foods of traditional markets within the province.
The 'Rolling Potato Expedition' special sales event will be held six times, combining live commerce on-site to target consumers in the Seoul metropolitan area and other regions.
Gangwon Province’s representative shopping festival, the 'Gangwon Sale Festa,' will complete brand design development and trademark registration by June, and hold large-scale consumption stimulation events linked with the 'Korea Together Sale' in August and the 'Korea Sale Festa' in October.
While the GTI International Trade and Investment Expo opens export channels, the plan is to elevate the 'Gangwon Sale Festa' to a festival-level event recognized as a domestic consumption expo.
From August to November, discount promotional events will be held year-round through Lotte Mart, E-Mart, Lotte ON, and others to boost sales for small business owners.
The Gangwon Province-style simple online store 'Sagopalgo' will collaborate with major tourist destinations in the province to hold flea markets, aiming to increase awareness and expand sales channels for about 90 affiliated stores.
In August, the '2022 Gangwon Province Social Economy Week Commemorative Festival' will be held, and in October, the 'Suspicious Warehouse' event will take place around Nami Island to invigorate the social economy.
The 'Gangwon The Mall,' established as the province’s representative shopping mall, will operate seasonal events and promotional exhibitions to maximize sales, and run 'Amazing Discounts on Excellent Products' through the live commerce corner integrated into the 'Gangwon The Mall' platform.
Meanwhile, plans are underway to expand into areas responding to market trend changes, such as building an export platform using overseas direct purchase methods for 'Gangwon The Mall,' which has been limited to domestic sales, and piloting subscription economy services.
With recent global supply chain instability causing continued rises in domestic prices and interest rates, placing a heavy burden on residents’ living costs, the province will also enhance the efficiency of price management.
To strengthen prevention of damage to residents caused by rampant 'voice phishing (telecommunication financial fraud),' the province will engage in damage prevention activities including online and offline protection and training of specialized personnel starting in the second half of the year.
Additionally, activities to promote consumer rights will be strengthened, including operating 'visiting mobile consumer counseling offices,' tailored education by consumer groups (children, elderly, multicultural families, etc.), providing consumer information and publicity, and operating fair price businesses.
Choi Ki-cheol, Director of the Economic Promotion Division, said, "In this era of high interest rates, high prices, and high exchange rates, we will focus administrative efforts on maximizing sales for small business owners through strengthened online and offline promotions, while revitalizing local commercial districts such as traditional markets to inject vitality into the overall economy."
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