On the 27th, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced that it will hold the 'May Companion Festival,' a nationwide consumption promotion event, from May 1 to 30.
This Companion Festival will feature over 24,000 excellent products from small businesses participating across 130 online and offline sales channels, offering various benefits for consumers, such as discount events and prize giveaways. Information on the diverse sales products and events of the Companion Festival can be found on the Companion Festival website and the Kakao 'Companion Festival' channel.
This year, the Companion Festival will be promoted by singer Sean, known for his positive influence, who will convey the meaning of 'companionship' that embodies living together. Notably, Sean has decided to donate his modeling fee to those in need.
The Companion Festival this year will feature key events such as offline sales, online sales, redemption events for traditional markets and alley shops using Onnuri gift certificates, and private collaboration events.
The opening ceremony that announces the start of the Companion Festival will be held simultaneously in four locations nationwide, including Sejong, Chuncheon, Incheon, and Naju, from May 2 to 4. While previous Companion Festivals held the opening ceremony in one location, this year it was expanded to create a nationwide consumption atmosphere.
In addition to the opening ceremony, a special local sales event connected to cultural performances will be sequentially held in 18 locations nationwide, including Jeonju's Weridan-gil and Cheongju's Seong-an-gil, creating a festive venue for everyone to enjoy together. Additionally, 1,000 products will be sold at a discount of 30% to 50% at six dedicated sales locations for small business products, such as the Incheon International Airport's Panpan Duty-Free Shop and Happy Department Store.
At 40 online shopping malls, including Naver Shopping, Gmarket, and OA, 15,000 products will be sold at discounts of up to 30% through time deals and planned events. Notably, 'Companion Products 300,' selected as the national representative products for small businesses, will be featured.
Eight home shopping channels, including Hyundai Home Shopping and NS Shopping, will also host special collaborative exhibitions focused on small businesses, whereas Home & Shopping and Public Home Shopping will conduct special promotions, including clearance events for small business products and discount coupons, as well as points accumulation. Additionally, live commerce selling products from small businesses will host a 20% discount event through 10 platforms.
To promote consumption in traditional markets and alley shops, a special refund event for Onnuri gift certificates will also be held. Ten percent of the payment made with the digital Onnuri gift certificate will be refunded in digital Onnuri gift certificates. Refunds for digital Onnuri gift certificates will be provided up to 20,000 won per week. However, the refund event for the digital Onnuri gift certificates will begin as soon as the supplementary budget is allocated.
A lottery event for users of the digital Onnuri gift certificates will also be held. If a total of 50,000 won or more is spent during the event period, automatic entry will occur, with a total of 2025 participants receiving digital gift certificates ranging from 20,000 to 2 million won through a lottery. Furthermore, special exhibitions for traditional market products will be held in 10 online shopping malls that accept payments with digital Onnuri gift certificates, and free shipping and discount coupon events will also take place.
Various private corporations will also hold collaborative events. Seven credit card companies, including BC, KB Kookmin, NH Nonghyup, Lotte, Woori, and Samsung, will conduct special events for century-old stores, traditional markets, and alley shops, offering various promotions such as a 10% discount on charges for card payments of 30,000 won.
Coupang and Kakao will hold special exhibitions for products from small businesses on their platforms, while Baedal Minjok will provide discounts on ‘Paldo Jinmi-gwan’ products and offer discount coupons to customers who place packing orders.
Department stores and outlets will also hold planned exhibitions and special sales for small and medium-sized enterprises and small businesses, and 200 small supermarkets nationwide will offer up to 15% discounts on 30 items, including groceries and daily necessities.
Oh Youngju, Minister of SMEs and Startups, noted, "I hope the May Companion Festival serves as an opportunity for our small business products to become widely known, and I urge citizens to participate in this warm and happy shopping together with our neighbors."