Haenam-gun Surpasses 500 Billion Won in Cumulative Sales of Haenam Sarang Gift Certificates

Rising to the Nation's Top Local Gift Certificate in Just 4 Years Since Launch

Haenam County in Jeollanam-do has surpassed 500 billion KRW in issuance and sales of the Haenam Sarang Gift Certificate after 4 years.

According to the county on the 24th, the Haenam Sarang Gift Certificate, which began issuance in April 2019, has issued a total of 509.8 billion KRW and sold 500.7 billion KRW to date.

During the Haenam Handsome Men Festival, Haenam Love Gift Certificates were sold at a 10% discount. [Photo by Haenam County]

This is the largest issuance and sales volume among counties nationwide, establishing itself as the top local gift certificate in the country by leading the creation of a virtuous cycle in the local economy despite the difficulties posed by COVID-19.

The Haenam Sarang Gift Certificate started with 17 billion KRW issued in 2019, increased to 125 billion KRW in 2020 and 175 billion KRW in 2021 as COVID-19 intensified, and recorded 155 billion KRW last year.

This year, the goal is to issue a total of 130 billion KRW, with 37.8 billion KRW issued so far.

The sales rate has also exceeded 90% annually, with 500.7 billion KRW sold out of the cumulative issuance of 509.8 billion KRW. Of this, 481 billion KRW has been exchanged, effectively preventing the outflow of local funds and significantly increasing the actual sales of local small business owners, playing a vital role as a pillar of the local economy.

The activation of Haenam Gift Certificates is understood to be the result of thorough prior preparation to establish the distribution foundation and the strong will of local residents who empathized with the purpose of issuing the certificates.

Haenam County has actively secured affiliated stores to promote the Haenam Sarang Gift Certificate, establishing 3,705 locations for paper gift certificates and 2,811 locations for card gift certificates, creating an environment where the Haenam Sarang Gift Certificate can be conveniently used anywhere in Haenam.

Additionally, various policy allowances such as the agricultural and fishery public service allowance, COVID-19 disaster relief funds for all residents, and welfare points for public officials have been paid using the Haenam Sarang Gift Certificate, laying the foundation for a virtuous economic cycle within the region and playing a major role in overcoming the COVID-19 crisis over the past three years.

The number of actual users of the gift certificates reached 47,686 as of 2022, proving that 8 out of 10 residents eligible to purchase actually use the certificates.

The county has also secured 28.1 billion KRW in national and provincial subsidies over four years through active acquisition efforts, resulting in direct benefits to residents such as discounted sales of the gift certificates.

In relation to this, the county will hold a gratitude event to celebrate surpassing 500 billion KRW.

During May, the month of family, a 10% discount will be offered and the monthly purchase limit will be raised to 700,000 KRW. For purchases over 500,000 KRW, there will be a prize draw, and a 5% cashback will be provided when purchasing card gift certificates through Haenam Miso and the public delivery app ‘Meokkebi’.

There will also be an event where customers who shop at traditional markets using the Haenam Sarang Gift Certificate and post on SNS will receive Haenam regional specialties.

County Governor Myeong Hyeon-gwan said, “The Haenam Sarang Gift Certificate has grown into the nation’s best local gift certificate thanks to the great affection and interest from residents despite difficult conditions,” and added, “We will continue to strive to help improve residents’ lives through the local gift certificate and to make it a community gift certificate that grows together with the residents.”