Kakao said on July 9 it has launched its first call for applications for 'Regular Shop', a new individual store support project under its small merchant win-win programme 'Project Dangol', targeting food and beverage (F&B) businesses in the Gangwon region.

Regular Shop is designed to help local small merchants secure customers nationwide by providing comprehensive support such as brand planning, expanding online and offline sales channels and marketing. The first call this year will select 10 F&B stores in Gangwon Province. Small merchants who want to participate can apply through the Kakao Business Seminar website until July 28, and the final results are expected to be announced on Aug. 18.

Selected stores will receive benefits worth up to 100 million won per store. Support includes one-on-one consulting on product planning and menu improvements, training in online commerce and the use of artificial intelligence (AI), onboarding to platforms such as Kakao Talk Deal and Makers, and diversification of sales channels through links with merchandisers at distribution platforms.

Kakao will also provide 3 million won in support for sending messages on KakaoTalk channels, along with product branding and opportunities to take part in promotional events. It plans to offer additional support to top performers, including producing collaboration content with influencers such as chef Nam-no Yoon and opportunities to join local festivals and department store pop-up stores.

Kakao will continue its district-level 'commercial district digital support project' alongside support for individual stores. The project, which held its launch ceremony the previous day, will work with Together Foundation and the Small Enterprise and Market Service to provide phased training starting in the second week of this month for 38 traditional markets and local shopping districts nationwide. This year, it has added AI training and will also provide 3 million won in message-sending support by commercial district, along with offline events.

Hyun-seo Yang (양현서), performance leader for Kakao's mutual growth projects, said, "We will strive for an efficient digital transformation of commercial districts and the sustainable growth of local commercial areas." Yang added, "We will support individual stores with growth potential in various ways so they can grow into nationwide brands."

Kakao has provided digital training for 286 traditional markets and shopping districts nationwide since 2022 through Project Dangol and has provided cumulative message-sending support worth 33.4 billion won.