'Buy value, live together', SMEs and start-ups open street market in Sinchon
젊음의 거리 신촌, 소상공인 '가치삽시다 한마당' 개최
A growing trend among South Korean consumers... is to buy things that reflect their values.
And this weekend, tens of thousands of people are at an event in Seoul where they can shop in a way that helps build a more inclusive society.
Kyung-eun reports.
Surrounded by universities, Sinchon is one of the youngest and most energetic neighborhoods in Seoul. And today, a huge market takes over the main street in the area, expected to attract some 80-thousand people over the weekend.
Under the theme of "Buy value, and live together," the Ministry of SMEs and Start-ups is promoting products from some 5-hundred local small businesses, in a bid to help them live together with big companies.
A major section was dedicated to Brand K, a joint-brand for local businesses sponsored by the government.
Individual merchants were also selling their own unique products, from hangover-curing facial masks to blanket-type hairdryers for dogs.
"The products here are different from the standardized ones in big markets. They are also high quality, using home-grown ingredients, and they are reasonably priced."
Minister Park Young-sun came to support the sellers, vowing to help them succeed in the changing consumer environment.
"South Korea is advancing into a smart society with consumer trends centering on online shopping and new technologies. But small businesses and traditional markets are not quite ready. And we promise to help them adapt to those changes and prosper together."
The ministry helped the sellers collaborate with internet celebrities, with local and Chinese creators using an open studio to introduce selected products through a live Youtube broadcast.
The government has also teamed up with local online retailer G-Market to help businesses enter the digital market and boost sales by using video-commerce.
"This generation is better reached through video. Sponsored by the government, we create video advertisement for brands. Creating video contents for products online can lead to larger sales."
As well as shopping, visitors can enjoy musical concerts and VR activities, while seeing how their daily purchases can contribute to making a more inclusive society.
Lee Kyung-eun, Arirang News.
A growing trend among South Korean consumers... is to buy things that reflect their values.
And this weekend, tens of thousands of people are at an event in Seoul where they can shop in a way that helps build a more inclusive society.
Kyung-eun reports.
Surrounded by universities, Sinchon is one of the youngest and most energetic neighborhoods in Seoul. And today, a huge market takes over the main street in the area, expected to attract some 80-thousand people over the weekend.
Under the theme of "Buy value, and live together," the Ministry of SMEs and Start-ups is promoting products from some 5-hundred local small businesses, in a bid to help them live together with big companies.
A major section was dedicated to Brand K, a joint-brand for local businesses sponsored by the government.
Individual merchants were also selling their own unique products, from hangover-curing facial masks to blanket-type hairdryers for dogs.
"The products here are different from the standardized ones in big markets. They are also high quality, using home-grown ingredients, and they are reasonably priced."
Minister Park Young-sun came to support the sellers, vowing to help them succeed in the changing consumer environment.
"South Korea is advancing into a smart society with consumer trends centering on online shopping and new technologies. But small businesses and traditional markets are not quite ready. And we promise to help them adapt to those changes and prosper together."
The ministry helped the sellers collaborate with internet celebrities, with local and Chinese creators using an open studio to introduce selected products through a live Youtube broadcast.
The government has also teamed up with local online retailer G-Market to help businesses enter the digital market and boost sales by using video-commerce.
"This generation is better reached through video. Sponsored by the government, we create video advertisement for brands. Creating video contents for products online can lead to larger sales."
As well as shopping, visitors can enjoy musical concerts and VR activities, while seeing how their daily purchases can contribute to making a more inclusive society.
Lee Kyung-eun, Arirang News.