Join The Department for Business & Trade (DBT) on a trade mission to explore South Korea and connect with 40 of the World’s leading Department Stores.

DBT invites UK brands to expand their global reach by joining our five day mission to South Korea from Monday 9th to Friday 13th June, to explore the retail and ecommerce business opportunities available in South Korea, coinciding with the annual World Department Store summit.

World Department Store Summit

Organised by the Intercontinental Group of Department Stores, this years summit takes place in Seoul, South Korea. 

WDSS is the world’s leading discussion platform for department store CEOs, senior executives and brands, suppliers and service companies, to meet, network and exchange ideas.

This year's theme focuses on digital innovation, with DBT bringing delegates to the summit from a luxury, ecommerce, omnichannel, tech and future innovation perspective.

Speakers at the summit are expected to include, Liberty, Rimowa, Moncler, Parko, Brown Thomas and more.

Our offer

DBT have negotiated a 20% discount on the summit ticket price of £1350 lowering it to £1,080 for mission delegates.

In addition, DBT will support UK retailers during their visit to South Korea with engagements with international and national buyers, ecommerce partners and distributors.

Programme (tbc)

The programme contains a comprehensive list of engagements designed to get you up to speed on the retail landscape in South Korea and globally. 
 

• Monday 9th - Evening reception hosted by the British Embassy South Korea.
• Tuesday 10th - Market Entry advice and support in Korea including meetings with leading digital and retail/Beauty players including leading marketplace Coupang.
• Wednesday 11th - World Department Store Summit launch and Awards Dinner.
• Thursday 12th - Continuation of the Summit and in the afternoon a tour of Lotte, South Koreas flagship store.
• Friday 13th June - Retail Safari taking delegates around Seoul’s three most relevant and compelling retail precincts.

Why South Korea?

With a population of over 50 million people, and the fourth largest economy in Asia, South Korea enjoys a high GDP per capita, and represents a huge opportunity for the UK.

Retail in South Korea

The Korean consumer is tech savvy and very connected with more than 98% of South Korean households access internet daily and over 85% of the Korean population owns a smartphone (Data Reportal, 2022)

Products attracting the most consumers are successful brands where detailing is visible. Consumption is used to make a statement.

In general, purchases are made in department stores, shopping centres but also in new types of stores e.g. food retailers.

This event will provide invaluable opportunity for your business for growth, in South Korea and globally.

Whats included?

The programme for successful applicants will include:

• Pre-departure educational programme on doing business in Korea with subject matter experts covering marketing, regional consumer insights and go-to-market strategy.
• Discounted ticket for entry into the World Department store summit, awards dinner and retail tour.
• Retail tour of Seoul including key physical and digital partners, including meeting with Coupang, South Koreas leading marketplace
• Pre mission support from DBT and throughout the mission.

Who is this mission for?

We welcome applications from the following:

• Retailers from Retail/Beauty/Food/Fashion/Homewear interested in omnichannel connections with the World's leading Department Stores
• Store design and Architects
• Retail tech providers and solutions

Cost

To confirm your place, a participation fee of £250 will be required, payable on acceptance, alongside the summit fee.

Participants must cover their own travel/accommodation/insurance and other expenses.

How to register

To register your interest, please complete the online form by using the 'Register Here' button below by 28th March 2025 11.45pm.

Note

• Applications submitted are 'Expressions of Interest' at this stage and do not guarantee an offer of a place on the mission.
• Planned activity may be subject to some change.
• One delegate per company. Additional delegates or others may attract additional fees.
   

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