Aggressive Management to Overcome Economic Downturn
Dong-A Shopping Food Court Reopens After Renewal
As the domestic retail industry faces mounting concerns due to the recent economic downturn, companies are competing to overcome the crisis through aggressive renewal strategies. On July 9, Daegyeong region E-Land Retail announced that it has also been pursuing aggressive business operations since the beginning of this year, including strengthening differentiated content and expanding customer service spaces, in order to overcome the crisis caused by the domestic economic slump.
On January 24, the company carried out a major renewal of the entire food court (covering 1,058 square meters) on the basement level 1 of its flagship Dong-A Shopping Center branch, reopening it as "Deli Ground," which consists of food, deli, and Deli by Ashley. The renewal has received enthusiastic responses from customers, and since its opening, sales have surged by more than 120% compared to the previous year.
"Deli by Ashley," which made its debut in Daegu and quickly became a customer favorite, is a brand that commercializes about 200 of the most popular menu items from the Ashley Queens buffet, operated by E-Land Eats in 2024, as ready-to-eat products. It has gained significant popularity for its high cost-effectiveness, particularly during "lunchflation."
On June 27, the premium family restaurant Ashley Queens relocated and expanded from the 12th to the 9th floor of the Dong-A Shopping Center. The store was upgraded from 717 square meters (217 pyeong) with 242 seats to 1,067 square meters (323 pyeong) with 310 seats, not only increasing the size but also expanding the space per seat for customer convenience and modernizing the facilities. The menu was also upgraded to match the refined tastes of visiting customers while enhancing convenience. As a result, the entrance has been overflowing with waiting customers since the day of reopening, reflecting its popularity among visitors.
On July 19, "Masil Park Golf," the No. 1 company in Korea, will open the first and largest screen park golf practice range in Buk-gu, Daegu, at the Dong-A Gangbuk branch. The new screen park golf facility will cover 500 square meters and will include 10 screen arenas and a park golf equipment shop. A park golf academy for beginners and club members will also be operated.
As part of the opening event, from the pre-opening period of July 16 to July 18, customers visiting the park golf practice range will be able to use the facilities free of charge. From July 19 to August 31, customers who make purchases of 200,000 won, 400,000 won, 600,000 won, or 1,000,000 won or more at the Gangbuk branch will receive gifts such as gloves, one park golf ball, a pouch and golf club bag, or a 50,000 won gift certificate for use at the park golf practice range. On the opening day, customers who complete an 18-hole game at the practice range will receive a shopping bag, a spa pouch, or a towel as a gift. A variety of other opening promotions are also planned. In addition, after the opening, the company plans to collaborate with local organizations to host the first and largest lifestyle sports event in Buk-gu.
On July 30, "Viking Park Golf" will open a screen park golf practice range at the Dong-A Suseong branch. The screen park golf facility, located on basement level 2 of the Suseong branch, will cover 460 square meters and include 10 screen arenas and a park golf equipment shop. A park golf academy for beginners and club members will also be operated.
To commemorate the opening on July 30, customers who purchase 150,000 won or more from golf brands on the 4th floor of the Suseong branch will receive a free 18-hole pass for one person. Various other opening promotions are also planned, and the company announced that it will collaborate with local organizations to hold a lifestyle sports event in Suseong-gu.
In addition, all Daegyeong region branches, including Dong-A Gumi, NC Gyeongsan, and NC EXCO, are currently working to strengthen differentiated content and expand customer service spaces through renewals this year or next year.
Ko Jaeun, Senior Branch Manager of Daegyeong region E-Land Retail, stated, "Although all retailers are struggling due to the domestic economic downturn, we at the Daegyeong region branches see this crisis as an opportunity. We are striving to overcome the crisis by leveraging our company's unique strengths?strengthening differentiated content through our own brands and expanding region-specific customer service spaces at each branch." He added, "We will continue to do our utmost to satisfy the needs of the many customers who visit our Daegyeong region branches and to provide them with even greater shopping satisfaction."
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