Naver Plus Store App Launches on the 12th... Introduction of 'Sales Commission' Policy

2.73% Commission for Smart Store, 3.64% for Brand Store

NAVER will officially launch the AI-based shopping app, Naver Plus Store, as a separate app on the 12th.

According to the information technology (IT) industry on the 4th, NAVER recently completed the development and internal beta testing of the Naver Plus Store app. The app registration process is currently underway in app markets, and the app is expected to be made available to general users as early as the 12th. However, the final release date may change depending on the app review schedules of Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

Naver Plus Store service screen. Provided by Naver

NAVER will apply AI personalized product recommendation technology to the Naver Plus Store app. In October last year, NAVER introduced the Naver Plus Store with enhanced personalized features tailored to individual users. The goal is to provide a non-purpose-driven shopping experience focused on discovery and exploration by combining AI with the existing purpose-driven purchasing through search.

The Naver Plus Store currently provides services through the NAVER app and web pages. Even after being separated into a standalone app, the service will continue to be available via the NAVER app and web pages.

The Naver Plus Store will analyze sellers' sales-related data, individual purchase history and patterns, and recent interests to recommend products that users might be interested in and offer customized benefits. Sellers will also be able to conduct marketing targeting users with a high likelihood of purchase.

Along with the launch of the shopping app, the charging system for sellers, including commission and advertising methods, will be restructured. NAVER has so far implemented an 'inflow commission' policy, charging commissions when transactions occur as users are brought into stores through product searches and ad exposures.

After the launch of the separate app, a 'sales commission' policy will be introduced, charging commissions on transaction amounts generated from sales on NAVER Shopping regardless of inflow. Accordingly, when sellers attract external users to the Naver Plus Store through their own marketing and transactions occur, Smart Store sellers will be subject to a 0.91% 'seller marketing commission,' and Brand Store sellers will be subject to a 1.82% 'seller marketing commission.'

For transactions occurring within the Naver Plus Store, Smart Store sellers will be charged a 2.73% commission rate, and Brand Store sellers will be charged 3.64%. The previous inflow commission rate was 1.81% excluding VAT, 2% including VAT, so the rates will change to a minimum of 0.91% to a maximum of 3.64% excluding VAT.

Coinciding with the launch of the Naver Plus Store app, Naver Arrival Guarantee will be rebranded as 'Naver Delivery.' With the renewal, Naver Delivery will be subdivided into Today Delivery, Tomorrow Delivery, Sunday Delivery, and Desired Date Delivery. Plans are also in place to introduce Dawn Delivery, which allows orders placed in the evening to be received early the next morning, and Now Delivery, which delivers within about an hour of ordering, within this year.

Additionally, any Naver Plus Membership member can receive free shipping on purchases over 10,000 KRW, along with free returns and exchanges. Free returns and exchanges apply only once per order and are excluded from some deliveries such as N Desired Date Delivery or cash on delivery. NAVER will directly support sellers for costs related to return shipping fees and disposal costs incurred from returns and exchanges. This measure is intended to encourage sellers to participate in the free return and exchange policy without bearing the costs.