"The bold decisions Shinsegae Group has made 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 (Top)" befitting a No. 1 company and pursue a "paradigm shift" that can reset the market's rules."
Chung Yong-jin, chairman of Shinsegae Group, delivered a New Year's message on the 29th, defining 2026 as "the year we grow again" and saying, "All preparations are complete, so let's soar high again."
Chung opened his address by commending the hard work of employees who produced results in a difficult environment throughout 2025. Chung said, "To make a great leap forward, we must endure that much pain," and added, "The decisions Shinsegae Group carried out through 2025 were preparations for a leap, and now the preparations are complete."
This is read as a pledge that the strategies Shinsegae executed—Emart, which began increasing its store count again as of 2025; department stores that built competitiveness in "gourmet" and "luxury"; Emart24, which unveiled stores and products targeting younger customers; and Gmarket, which began a new journey through collaboration with Alibaba—must lead to full-fledged results in 2026.
Pointing to "customers" as the aim of growth, Chung said, "You can never overemphasize the word customer." He also stressed, "Our essence, the 'No. 1 customers who crave novelty,' have now become the world's No. 1 customers." Chung said, "The fact that the world is watching our customers means the value of our core business—anticipating 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, could connect with Shinsegae's various content. However, noting 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 significantly into the corporations most loved by customers, we need the dignity and confidence of a No. 1 company." To that end, he called on Shinsegae employees to restore the core stance of the "nature of the top (Top)."
Chung defined the nature of the top as "coming up with ideas that did not exist in the world and executing one step ahead, one beat faster." He also argued that corporations with the nature of the top must respond to a rapidly changing market environment with a "paradigm shift."
Chung said, "Do not stop at improving existing strategies; change the way you think, set new rules, and reinvent customer desires themselves," adding, "Just as customers are more than past customers, we too must be more than the Shinsegae of today."
Finally, Chung recalled Shinsegae's history of breaking prejudice and growing. He said that when Shinsegae tried something new, it more often met concern that it would not work than applause, and he encouraged continuing Shinsegae's history of overcoming negative views and delivering results each time.
Chung closed by expressing strong trust in employees and urging a successful 2026. He emphasized, "Until Shinsegae Group finds the answers, the newness customers dream of will always be hard," adding, "Customers trust Shinsegae Group, and Shinsegae Group, and I, trust you."