[Guaranteed Quality Korean Products] Interview with H, who operates a Korean fashion specialty offline shop

Q. Can you briefly introduce yourself and tell us what motivated you to start your business?

I used to work as a clothing salesperson. An opportunity arose for me to work as a manager at a friend’s store, and about 3-4 years ago, I had the chance to expand my business. My experience as a salesperson made it a natural transition.

Now, I run one online clothing store and three offline locations, sourcing my clothing through Sinsang Market.

Q. Why did you start using Sinsang Market?

I learned about it from a Korean friend. When I first started using it, there was no global service or international shipping service, but it was useful for checking Korean trends and comparing prices, so I used it like a catalog.

I used to travel to Korea to purchase products myself, but ever since the global service launched, I've been able to source easily through the Sinsang Market mobile app. Their shipping service is fast, so I frequently order from Sinsang Market when I need products quickly.

Q. What was the most challenging aspect of starting your business?

It was during the COVID-19 period. With travel restrictions, shipping costs suddenly skyrocketed. During that time, using Sinsang Market helped a lot because the logistics costs were lower, and the fast delivery was a huge advantage.

However, there were limitations in operating my offline stores during COVID, so I decided to focus on online sales. I started introducing and promoting products on Instagram Live for about 10-15 minutes daily, which helped boost sales by identifying popular items.

Data analysis was also crucial. Initially, I would do one-hour Instagram Lives, but the average viewing time was just about one minute. I concluded that reducing the time to 10 minutes and archiving the sessions for later viewing was more effective. I thought it would allow more people to see the products in a shorter time.

Q. How do you use Sinsang Market?

I frequently check the recommended wholesale products. Sinsang Market covers nearly all the items from Dongdaemun Market, making it easy to find clothes that give the feeling of what Koreans are actually wearing.

Since the algorithm started recommending similar items based on detailed searches, it has become much easier to find products.

Q. Would you recommend Sinsang Market to others in the same business?

I believe many users of Sinsang Market have experience sourcing products in Korea or are involved in the Korean fashion industry. While some may want to visit in person to see products, I think it’s crucial to keep an eye on products online in addition to local sourcing.

Visiting in person can lead to significant costs due to airfare and weight restrictions. With Sinsang Market, you can check what’s currently selling well in real-time, which helps in getting accustomed to sourcing. It’s an essential service for anyone in the clothing business.