Woowa Brothers, operator of Baedal Minjok (Baemin), has moved to expand online sales channels for traditional market products. Woowa Brothers said on July 15 it will run a "Nationwide Specials Traditional Market Promotion" with the Korea Federation of Traditional Market Merchants.

Participants include the Bucheon Jungdong Sarang Market Cooperative, the South Chungcheong branch of the Korea Federation of Traditional Market Merchants, and the Ulsan Suam Shopping District Market. The promotion is held in "Nationwide Specials," a commerce service within the Baemin app, and sells a total of 36 items delivered by parcel.

The Bucheon Jungdong Sarang Market Cooperative will offer up to 60 percent discounts on 18 items jointly planned with Baemin, including tteokbokki, spicy stir-fried pork, braised mackerel and spicy fish stew meal kits. The South Chungcheong branch of the federation will sell up to 11 percent off four processed specialty foods, including Yesan fresh apple juice and Nonsan balloon flower syrup. The Ulsan Suam Shopping District Market will present 14 items, including puffed rice snacks and old-fashioned nostalgic snacks.

Baemin has previously posted meaningful sales results through traditional market promotions. In a Bucheon Jungdong Sarang Market promotion in December last year, sales rose 600 percent from the previous month. In an October promotion for South Chungcheong specialties the same year, average daily sales were 29 times higher than usual.

It will again offer first-come discount coupons through July 27, giving 3,000 won off purchases of 10,000 won or more and 15,000 won off purchases of 25,000 won or more.

Kim So-young (김소영), secretary general of the Korea Federation of Traditional Market Merchants, said the promotion will be a chance to boost market competitiveness by offering traditional markets' products to consumers at reasonable prices. She added she hopes more people will visit traditional markets through Baemin.

Kim Jung-hyun (김중현), head of sustainability management at Woowa Brothers, said he hopes it will give customers a chance to enjoy traditional market foods conveniently at home and provide practical help to merchants. He added the company will continue various cooperation efforts to grow together with small business owners.