Coupang and Coupang Eats Services (CES) said on Wednesday they will support a digital transformation at the Cheongnyangni traditional market. The plan is to strengthen merchants' competitiveness in online sales and revitalise traditional markets.

Coupang said the support is a follow-up to a "win-win agreement" with the National Federation of Merchants signed last year. Cheongnyangni General Market is Seoul's first general market, which opened in the early 1960s. It is the largest in northeastern Seoul and serves as an economic hub for the Dongdaemun and Cheongnyangni area. About 150 stores and about 450 small business owners belong to it.

Coupang and CES began supporting an online sales capability-building programme for Cheongnyangni General Market merchants last month. They plan to provide consulting on online sales strategies, including training to prepare for joining and support for professional photography of menus and products, so merchants unfamiliar with online sales can settle in stably.

They also provided about 90,000 eco-friendly packaging containers that can be used for online sales. They will also pursue cooperation on developing meal kits to sell the market's specialised products online and expand opportunities to increase sales at traditional markets.

The company plans to continue working with Cheongnyangni General Market to raise merchants' digital competitiveness and sustain practical win-win programmes to expand online sales channels.

Kim Myung-gyu (김명규), CEO of Coupang Eats Services, said, "The digital transformation of traditional markets is an important change for revitalising local commercial districts." He added, "We will continue practical support so that traditional markets, including Cheongnyangni General Market, can build sustainable competitiveness online as well."