Kakao successfully completed its 'Project Regular customer' for supporting the digital transformation of small business owners in 2024 and noted that it held achievement-sharing meetings in each business region to celebrate this on the 17th.
Initiated in 2022, 'Project Regular customer' was implemented targeting traditional markets (regular markets), local commercial districts (regular streets), and national small business support centers. To date, a total of 212 markets and 15 commercial districts have received digital education, resulting in the creation of 2,800 new Talk channels and 730,000 customers registering as Talk channel friends, establishing an online communication channel for participating merchants.
The 'Regular market-excellent market creation' project, aimed at uncovering and spreading best practices for the digital transformation of traditional markets, was conducted for the first time this year. The five participating markets each surpassed 10,000 friends on the KakaoTalk channel, laying the groundwork for communication with regular customers. Moreover, information on the five excellent markets has been linked to the indoor map of KakaoMap, and a 'Regular market planning exhibition' is being held in KakaoTalk Shopping, diversifying sales channels by connecting online and offline.
The newly launched 'Regular street' project in 2024 supported the digital transformation of 842 stores in 15 local commerce districts. Among them, 840 stores opened KakaoTalk channels, and 796 stores registered store management on KakaoMap.
Through the 'Regular customer creation support center,' Kakao has provided a total of 25.5 billion won in Talk channel message subsidies to small business owners from 2022 to the present. This has enabled 66,000 small business owners to communicate with customers through Talk channel messages. The center offers 300,000 won in message sending expenses free of charge to small business owners.
Kakao’s Park Yoon-seok, leader of shared growth achievements, stated, 'We plan to expand support regions so that more small business owners can experience benefits and seek ways to achieve coexistence with the local economy.'