Seller Support Shifts to AI-Based 'Sustainable Growth'
Up to 1 Million KRW Growth Mileage Upon Promotion
Available for Technology Solutions and Marketing Expenses
NAVER will introduce a new seller growth support program called the 'Growth Mileage' program starting in July. The main goal is to shift the direction of seller support from traditional online startup assistance to AI-based sustainable growth, helping sellers enhance their artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities and adapt to market changes.
On the 17th, NAVER announced the introduction of this program through a notice on the Smart Store Seller Center.
The Growth Mileage program, launching in July, will be available to sellers at the startup and power levels of the NAVER Smart Store business growth stages. The retention rates of these sellers continuing their business on NAVER Smart Store the following year are 88% for startup sellers and 92% for power sellers. The existing 'Start Zero Commission' and 'Growth Support Points' programs will only be available for application until June.
Under the new Growth Mileage program, sellers who are promoted to the startup or power levels will receive growth mileage equivalent to 300,000 KRW and 1,000,000 KRW, respectively. If a single seller is promoted sequentially from startup to power level, they can receive up to 1,300,000 KRW in growth mileage.
Sellers can convert growth mileage into Biz Money to use for search advertising or for marketing and event activities targeting users. They can also utilize commerce solutions that assist with AI marketing, data analysis, customer relationship management (CRM), and other business needs. NAVER plans to prepare additional support programs that enable sellers to leverage AI technology tools in the future.
In the notice, NAVER explained the background for attempting a change in the direction of seller growth support: "In the rapidly changing e-commerce market, it is time for seller support programs to evolve so that sellers can grow in pace with the speed and environment of change. NAVER aims to shift the direction of seller support to provide education and infrastructure necessary to strengthen AI capabilities, enabling sellers to increase business sustainability and adapt flexibly based on advanced technologies including AI."
Previously, NAVER operated the 'Start Zero Commission' program, which supported commissions to help early-stage entrepreneurs easily start online businesses, and the 'Growth Support Points' program, which supported marketing expenses.
Shin Ji-man, leader of the NAVER Project Flower Secretariat, stated, "Just as NAVER has played a leading role in the online startup ecosystem by providing easy and convenient online startup support to establish a foundation for seller growth, we will strive to help sellers create greater growth opportunities in the new e-commerce environment."
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