traditional markets of South Korea have long kept out of the technological revolution that has swept the country, but traders gradually adopt digital tools to withstand competition from department stores.
Yoo Hyung-Geun sells sesame oil market outdoor Junggok Cheil in Seoul for 14 years. Two months ago, he traded his cash register against a touchscreen tablet Samsung Galaxy, which gave her SK Telecom, the leading mobile operators in the country.
The tablet serves not only digital cash but also offers software developed by the operator to help small businesses increase their profitability.The tool records such data on sales and inventory, such as the number of bottles sesame oil – a key ingredient in the South Korean kitchen -. sold each day, week and month
But it also saves the products purchased by each customer, allowing Mr. Yoo perform some basic marketing operations, promoting a particular product via text messages or emails to regular shoppers, as functions of their habits.
“I’m trying to use these data in different ways,” said the trader, whose sales increased by 30% since he received his new tools.
Yoo Hyung-Geun is one of fourteen vendors in this market have been equipped .
SK Telecom launched the project after the call for large groups launched by the new president of the country, Park Geun-Hye, for they help smaller struggling to remain competitive.
The South Korean conglomerates, including Samsung, which manufactures smartphones and tablets, or Hyundai are often accused of stifling smaller companies, especially in the distribution.
markets equipped with wifi
For some 300 traditional markets in the country, the rise of supermarkets such as E-Mart or HomePlus is almost insurmountable challenge.
For the moment, the telecom operator has provided software and 26 tablets in total in two markets in Seoul and its environs, and plans to expand this program, said Irene Kim, a spokesman. The operator also offers “an electronic mini-kit” that scans credit cards, thus fulfilling one of the most frequent customer complaints markets.
“This is much more convenient not to having to carry cash when I come here, “said Kwon Sung-Hyuk, a regular market that resides in Seoul, one of the most connected cities in the world.In Busan, the largest port city south of the country, a traditional market is associated with a government agency to create a smartphone application that offers discount coupons, information about the hundreds of stalls and advice to park.
Some markets are equipped with free WiFi, to attract young people in gargottes who side with grocery stores.
And in Suwon, near Seoul, merchants have installed cameras that count the number of customers in this or such market place at any time. These data are used for the organization of attractions at the right time and at the best possible place.
(With AFP)