Gwangju Shinsegae Strengthens Its Role as a ‘Local Platform’ Promoting Jeonnam and Gwangju

Discovering Local Brands, Expanding Sales Channels for Regional Specialties

A Cooperative Distribution Model Connecting Producers and Consumers

Gwangju Shinsegae Co., Ltd. is strengthening its role as a cooperative platform to discover and promote the region’s hidden content, taking the launch of the Jeonnam-Gwangju Unified Metropolitan City as an opportunity. It is expanding its presence as a leading local distributor by offering stable sales channels for local producers and introducing consumers to outstanding local products and culture.

On July 14, Gwangju Shinsegae announced that the local Gwangju brand "Orotji" had been selected as an Excellent Enterprise in the rural entrepreneurship competition hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

Orotji is a cold-pressed juice brand that uses agricultural products grown by local farmers. Since 2025, Gwangju Shinsegae has supported the brand by bringing it into its stores and helping expand its distribution channels.

With a rising interest in health and wellness, Orotji’s products have received consistent positive feedback from customers, and sales in the first half of this year reached 110% of the target.

An employee at Orot Juice on the basement first floor of Gwangju Shinsegae Main Building is handing a Sweet Green beverage to a customer. Photo by Gwangju Shinsegae

Cultural programs introducing local figures and stories are also continuing.

On June 30, Gwangju Shinsegae Gallery hosted a book talk event for invited customers. The event featured Lee Dong-hyun, CEO of Misillan, an agricultural company practicing eco-friendly farming in Gokseong, and author Kim Tak-hwan, who wrote the novel ‘Immortal Yi Sun-sin.’ Together, they discussed the value of eco-friendly produce and the future of local agriculture.

The company is also actively working to expand sales channels for local specialties.

At the Gokseong Specialties Fair held at the end of June, products like Gokseong melon and organic rice Makgeolli proved very popular. Earlier this month, the company introduced Jang products and Sikhye made by Gisoon-do, the 35th designated master of traditional Korean foods. In addition, Park Jangheung’s Soy Sauce Hanwoo Jangjorim, which carries on the traditional jang flavors of Naju, also garnered attention from customers.

Gwangju Shinsegae explained that, at the pop-up events for excellent products from the Gokseong, Damyang, and Naju areas held in June and July, it achieved sales of 150% compared to the target, creating positive outcomes for both producers and consumers.

The local food direct market, operated as a win-win model for local agricultural products, has also been receiving steady support.

The Hwasun Dogok Local Food Direct Market, which opened in 2022, was relocated in March of this year to the B1 floor food section of the main building, providing more customers with access to agricultural products from the Hwasun region.

Lee Dong-hoon, CEO of Gwangju Shinsegae, stated, "With the launch of the Jeonnam-Gwangju Unified Metropolitan City, Gwangju Shinsegae will take the lead as the region’s key platform for promoting the tangible and intangible assets of Jeonnam-Gwangju," adding, "We will continue to expand collaborative activities that provide practical support for the local community while offering valuable experiences to our customers."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.