Coupang announced on the 13th that small and medium-sized enterprises in designated 'population decline areas' such as Yeongdeok in Gyeongbuk, Hamyang in Gyeongnam, Imsil in Jeonbuk, and Yeongam in Jeonnam have increased their sales by expanding their distribution channels nationwide through Rocket Delivery.
These areas had populations exceeding 100,000 as recently as the 1970s, but they have recently sharply decreased to around 20,000 to 50,000. In a situation where aging has led to a lack of local distribution channels, it is explained that small and medium-sized enterprises in these regions were able to expand their distribution channels by entering Coupang's Rocket Delivery.
The food manufacturer 'The Road to the East Sea,' located in Ganggu-myeon, Yeongdeok, Gyeongbuk, which produces the local specialty 'Hongyeong's red crab soy sauce' with red crab extract, saw its sales soar from 180 million won in its first year of entry in 2022 to 1.258 billion won last year. Sales this year are expected to reach 2 billion won.
'Greenpia,' a frozen vegetable company in Osu-myeon, Imsil, Jeonbuk, is supplying over 20 products including minced garlic and green onions to Coupang's private brand 'GongGong' and recorded sales of 6 billion won last year. This year, sales are expected to increase by 30% to 8 billion won.
Coupang plans to invest 3 trillion won in expanding its logistics infrastructure by 2026 and aims to extend 'Coo-se-gwon' (Coupang + station area) into various regions experiencing population decline.
A Coupang official noted, 'We plan to strengthen policies for mutual growth by increasing marketing support and Rocket Delivery for small and medium-sized enterprises in population decline areas, while enabling companies to focus solely on product production,' and added, 'We will do our best to help them expand their distribution channels nationwide and revitalize the local economy.'