Gwangju City Boosts Public Delivery App to Revitalize Neighborhood Businesses

The Second Neighborhood Economy Situation Meeting Presided Over by Mayor Kang Gijeong
Franchisees, Operators, and Small Business Owners Seek Ways to Revitalize the Platform

Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijeong is discussing ways to revitalize the Gwangju public delivery app with delivery app operators, franchisees, and rider representatives in the small conference room at City Hall on the afternoon of the 20th. Provided by Gwangju City

The Gwangju City Government is accelerating efforts to revitalize the public delivery app in order to protect local small businesses and revive neighborhood commercial districts.

On June 20, the city held the "2nd Neighborhood Economy Situation Meeting" in the small conference room at City Hall to discuss ways to boost the Gwangju public delivery app. The meeting was presided over by Mayor Kang Gijeong and attended by Kim Hyunseong, CEO of the Gwangju Economic Promotion and Win-Win Jobs Foundation; Jeon Seongho, head of the "Ddanggyeyo" business unit at Shinhan Bank; Ha Jaewook, CEO of Superconnect (Wemakeprice O); Lee Giseong, president of the Gwangju Small Business Association; Lee Eunhaeng, president of the Gwangju branch of the Korea Foodservice Industry Association; Lee Youngsook, president of the Gwangju branch of the Korea Women's Consumer Federation; Hwang Jihoon, head of Darda Gimbap Suwan branch; So Namsik, head of Myeongbaekjip Bukgu Sinan branch; Baek Seungho, head of Cafe Itsand; Kim Daecheol, head of Barogo Northern branch; Yoon Sehun, head of MoaCall Gwangsan branch; as well as franchisees, operators of the public delivery app, small business owners, and consumer organizations.

During the meeting, participants shared the current status of the Gwangju public delivery app and discussed practical measures for revitalization, such as expanding promotions and offering price discounts. Attendees agreed that revitalizing the public delivery app cannot be achieved through the efforts of a single party alone, and that franchisees, operators, small business owners, and consumer organizations must each contribute their wisdom within their respective areas.

Franchisees decided to voluntarily participate in price discounts. The public delivery app operators announced plans to expand their own promotions, such as unlimited provision of delivery bag stickers and banners, in addition to TV and online advertisements, to increase the number of members and participating businesses and attract more users. Meanwhile, small business and consumer organizations plan to launch campaigns encouraging citizens to use the public delivery app.

The Gwangju public delivery app is operated by Shinhan Bank's "Ddanggyeyo" and "Wemakeprice O." Since its launch in 2021, it has attracted approximately 15,800 franchisees, accumulated 1.98 million orders, and achieved a total sales volume of 48.8 billion won.

Mayor Kang Gijeong emphasized, "The public delivery app is more than just a delivery platform; it is the most important means of restoring the livelihood economy by significantly contributing to the protection of small businesses and the revitalization of neighborhood economies." He added, "The most urgent issue for revitalizing the public delivery app is securing funding, including national government support."

Since last year, the city has continuously requested national funding from the government, resulting in the inclusion of 65 billion won in direct government project funding in the first supplementary budget. However, since there are limitations to revitalizing the public delivery app with only direct government project funding, the city has also requested additional national matching support (50%) in the second supplementary budget, which could be used for issuing discount coupons tailored to local governments' circumstances.

Meanwhile, on June 18, Gwangju City held the "1st Neighborhood Economy Situation Meeting" attended by about 50 department heads and heads of public institutions, where they discussed measures to stimulate consumption by each organization and revitalize the neighborhood economy.