Ministry of SMEs and Startups Records 131.9 Billion KRW Sales in One Month at 'Early Donghaeng Festival'

Digital Onnuri Gift Certificates Achieve 106.9 Billion KRW in Sales
Private Sector Participation by Baedal Minjok and Kakao Also Delivers Results
"Main Event in May to Be Further Expanded... Enhanced Support for Market Access"

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced on the 6th that the 'Early ON Donghaeng Festival' held throughout March generated direct sales of 131.9 billion KRW.

This event was a preliminary festival held ahead of the official Donghaeng Festival in May to stimulate spring consumption. It focused on supporting market expansion for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and small business owners and promoting domestic demand.

The event saw participation from 2,601 SMEs and small business operators across more than 40 online distribution channels, including Coupang, Naver Shopping, Gmarket, and Baedal Minjok. Offline promotions involved about 10 channels such as Happy Department Store and other nationwide retail stores and department stores, with 859 companies participating.

Notably, Onnuri gift certificates worth 181.6 billion KRW were used during this period. Among these, digital Onnuri gift certificates recorded 106.9 billion KRW, a 44% increase compared to the previous year.

Participation from private companies was also remarkable. Baedal Minjok, Kakao, KB Kookmin Card, and Lotte Card conducted promotions such as their own discount coupons and cashback offers, generating sales worth approximately 1 billion KRW. Baedal Minjok recorded 300 million KRW in sales through a takeout discount event, and Kakao achieved 500 million KRW in sales through a TokDeal special exhibition.

Oh Young-joo, Minister of SMEs and Startups, said, "It is meaningful in that it contributed to spreading a consumption atmosphere by providing consumers with reasonable shopping opportunities and small business owners with practical market expansion opportunities," adding, "The upcoming Donghaeng Festival in May will be prepared with a richer lineup to offer more opportunities."