Expansion of 187 Alley-type Stores... Boosting Consumption with Onnuri Gift Certificates

Small Enterprise and Market Service Expands Designation of 'Golmok-type Shopping Districts'
369 Golmok-type Shopping Districts Last Year
"Full Effort to Revitalize Traditional Markets and Neighborhood Commercial Areas"

The Small Enterprise and Market Service (SEMAS) will actively promote the expansion of alley-type shopping districts designated to accept Onnuri gift certificates to revitalize consumer sentiment.

SEMAS announced on the 9th that it added 187 alley-type shopping districts last year, expanding the total number of such districts to 369.

A promotional booth for Onnuri gift certificates at the Alley-type Shopping District in Cheondan District. Provided by the Small Enterprise and Market Service.

Since easing the designation requirements for alley-type shopping districts in January 2024, SEMAS has been working to revitalize alley markets struggling due to the economic downturn by organizing merchants and supporting application processes.

Once designated as an alley-type shopping district, stores within the area become eligible to register as Onnuri gift certificate affiliates and participate in various support programs, receiving support comparable to traditional markets.

Previously, alley-type shopping districts were designated in areas with ‘at least 30 stores within 2,000㎡’, but now local governments can autonomously designate districts through ordinances considering regional conditions.

Since May last year, SEMAS has selected specialized organizations to provide close on-site guidance on the alley-type shopping district designation system and application procedures, aiming to revitalize alley markets and expand Onnuri gift certificate usage.

The specialized organizations for expanding alley-type shopping districts and Onnuri gift certificate affiliates are divided into three regions: Seoul/Gyeonggi/Gangwon, Daejeon/Chungcheong/Jeolla, and Busan/Gyeongsang, with operating agencies selected for each. These organizations handle tasks such as discovering prospective alley-type shopping districts, supporting merchant organization, assisting with application processes, and managing Onnuri gift certificate affiliations.

After designation as an alley-type shopping district, promotional activities are supported, including operating Onnuri gift certificate booths targeting the designated districts. By October last year, promotional booths were held in 15 alley-type shopping districts, with a total of 1,000 people downloading the Onnuri gift certificate app and using it at affiliated stores nationwide.

Park Seong-hyo, Director of SEMAS, stated, "We are supporting consumers to conveniently shop at many stores by expanding and strengthening the use of Onnuri gift certificates," adding, "We will continue to make every effort to attract visitors to traditional markets and alley markets and to revive consumer sentiment."