"The bold decisions by Shinsegae Group over the past two to three years were meticulous preparations to grow again. In 2026, we will soar high. To do so, we need to restore the 'nature of the Top' befitting a No. 1 company and pursue a 'paradigm shift' that can reset the rules of the market."
Chung Yong-jin, chairman of Shinsegae Group, released his New Year's address on the 29th, defining 2026 as "a year of renewed growth" and saying, "All preparations are done, so let's rise high again."
Chung began his address by praising the hard work of employees who delivered results in a challenging environment throughout 2025. Chung said, "To make a big leap, we must endure that much pain," adding, "The decisions made by Shinsegae Group through 2025 were preparations for a leap, and now the preparations are complete."
This is seen as a pledge that the strategies Shinsegae executed—Emart, which began increasing its store count again starting in 2025; department stores that built competitiveness in "gourmet" and "luxury"; Emart24, which rolled out stores and products aimed at younger customers; and Gmarket, which began a new journey through collaboration with Alibaba—must lead to full-fledged results in 2026.
Chung pointed to "customers" as the compass for growth, saying, "You can never overemphasize the word customer." He also stressed, "Our essence, the 'No. 1 customers who crave the new,' have now become the world's No. 1 customers." Chung said, "The fact that the world pays attention to our customers means the value of our core business—predicting and delivering what customers want—has risen."
Chung also mentioned Nvidia founder Jensen Huang's so-called "chimaek gathering." He expressed hope that people's desire to meet others, even as times change, can connect with Shinsegae's various content. But seeing the enthusiastic public response to the gathering, he said, "I have always thought it is hard to know what customers will like."
Recalling that Shinsegae Group has delivered on difficult customer satisfaction, Chung said, "To grow into the corporations most loved by customers, we must have the dignity and confidence of a No. 1 company." To that end, he urged Shinsegae employees to restore the core mindset of the "nature of the Top."
Chung defined the nature of the Top as "coming up with ideas the world has never seen and executing one step ahead, one beat faster." He also argued that corporations with the nature of the Top must respond with a "paradigm shift" amid fast-changing market conditions.
Chung said, "Do not merely improve existing strategies—change how you think, reset the rules, and recreate customer desires themselves," adding, "Just as customers are more than past customers, we too must be more than the Shinsegae of today."
Lastly, Chung recalled Shinsegae's history of growth by breaking prejudice. He said that when Shinsegae tried something new, it often met worries that it would not work rather than applause, and he encouraged continuing Shinsegae's history of overcoming skepticism and producing results each time.
Chung closed by expressing strong confidence in employees and calling for a successful 2026. He emphasized, "Until Shinsegae Group finds the answer, the newness customers dream of will always be difficult," adding, "Customers trust Shinsegae Group, and Shinsegae Group—and I—trust you."