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8 Most Popular South Korean Ecommerce Platforms

March 06, 2024
Written and researched by experts at AvadaLearn more about our methodology

By Sam Nguyen

CEO Avada Commerce

In this review, we will delve into the top 8 South Korean ecommerce platforms, shedding light on their features, popularity, and the pros and cons they offer for businesses.

Key Takeaways
8 Most Popular South Korean Ecommerce Platforms

Top 8 Ecommerce Platforms in South Korea

Coupang

Coupang

Coupang is one of South Korea’s largest online e-commerce platforms, often likened to Amazon for its wide range of products and services. Known for its speedy “Rocket Delivery” service, Coupang offers an extensive selection of products ranging from electronics and home goods to groceries and fashion.

By the end of 2020, the South Korean e-commerce platform Coupang had approximately 14.85 million users. As of November 2023, the number of users on the online marketplace Coupang amounted to around 147.6 million, according to Statista. It’s safe to say that Coupang has become one of South Korea’s largest online shopping destinations.

Pros and cons for South Korean businesses

ProsCons
A large and growing customer base

Swift delivery services

Diverse product range

User-friendly interface.
Intense competition with other sellers

Strict requirements for business registration

Listing and transaction fees
NAVER

NAVER is not just an e-commerce platform but a leading South Korean online platform that operates as a search engine and offers a wide range of services, including news, email, and its own shopping section, known as NAVER Shopping. This platform provides businesses with access to a broad audience through its integrated services, from search and content to actual e-commerce functionalities.

NAVER is one of the most widely used platforms in South Korea, with millions of users relying on it for search, content, and shopping. As of November 2023, the number of users on the online marketplace Naver Shopping amounted to around 72.1 million, according to Statista

Pros and cons for South Korean businesses

ProsCons
Integrated services beyond e-commerce

Established user trust

Comprehensive advertising options.
High competition for visibility

Less control over branding and customer experience

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11 Street

11 Street

11 Street is one of South Korea’s leading online marketplaces, offering various products ranging from electronics, fashion, and beauty products to groceries and services. It’s known for providing a comprehensive online shopping experience with competitive prices and various deals.

Up to now, 11 Street is considered one of the largest e-commerce sites in Korea. In 2022, the revenue of South Korean e-commerce platform 11Street amounted to around 789 billion South Korean won. In November 2023, the website received a total of 44.1 million visits.

Pros and cons for South Korean businesses

ProsCons
Flexible transaction models

Robust customer support

Extensive seller education programs.
11 Street will stop supporting English and Chinese by June 2024 (The app ends in 2023)

Customers may have less loyalty to individual stores

Auction Co.

Auction Co.

Auction Co. is the #1 South Korean e-commerce platform specializing in online auctions. It is gaining traction in the Korean market by offering a unique shopping experience that allows customers to compare prices of products from about 3000 different websites. It operates similarly to eBay, providing a space for consumer-to-consumer (C2C) and business-to-consumer (B2C) transactions. The platform is known for its auction-style listings and “Buy It Now” options.

According to Smimilarweb, the website had 23 million visits in November 2023 only.

Pros and cons for South Korean businesses

ProsCons
Broad customer base

Engaging shopping experience

Wide range of collectibles

Businesses can choose between auction-style or fixed-price listings
Not really easy to use for foreign buyers

Dependence on the platform

Gmarket

Gmarket

Gmarket, part of eBay Korea, is a top e-commerce site in South Korea. It has a large user base and a broad product range. Known for its English support, it appeals to both local and international customers. Gmarket’s prominence in Korea’s e-commerce scene makes it a key choice for businesses aiming to grow their online presence in the country.

As of November 2023, the number of users on online marketplace Gmarket amounted to around 41.4 million.

Pros and cons for South Korean businesses

ProsCons
International reach

Variety of payment options

Well-established reputation

Comprehensive seller support.
High competition

The platform’s rules are quite complex for new sellers.

SSG

SSG

SSG is an online shopping platform operated by Shinsegae, a major South Korean retail company. It’s known for offering a wide range of high-quality products, including fashion, beauty, home goods, and groceries, often from premium and well-known brands. SSG aims to provide a more upscale online shopping experience with a focus on customer service and product quality.

SSG is recognized as a popular online destination for quality and branded products in South Korea, particularly among consumers looking for a premium shopping experience. 

In 2022, the sales revenue of online marketplace SSG.com amounted to approximately 1.61 trillion South Korean won. The large majority of these sales were domestic. In November 2023, the number of users on e-commerce platform SSG.com amounted to around 24.5 million

Pros and cons for South Korean businesses

ProsCons
Integration with offline stores

Trend-focused platform

Loyalty programs for users

Premium audience
Strict seller requirements

Best suited for premium or branded products, which might not fit all business types

High expectations from buyers

Wemakeprice

Wemakeprice

Wemakeprice, often called WMP, is a popular South Korean online marketplace known for offering various products at competitive prices. It’s a discount e-commerce platform features daily deals, special promotions, and a broad product range, including electronics, fashion, beauty products, home goods, and more.

Wemakeprice is considered one of the popular e-commerce platforms in South Korea, attracting many users looking for good deals and a wide selection of products. In 2022, it had a sales revenue of over 170 billion South Korean won.

Pros and cons for South Korean businesses

ProsCons
Opportunities to attract customers with discounts

Engaging marketing campaigns

Emphasis on customer experience

Market visibility
Intense competition

Price sensitivity

Dependence on promotion to attract customers

Lotteimall

Lotteimall

Lotteimall is a comprehensive ecommerce platform that operates under the Lotte Group. The platform offers its customers a diverse range of products and services, leveraging advanced technologies and systems to provide a seamless user experience. With a robust supply chain management system and efficient logistics network, Lotteimall ensures timely and hassle-free delivery of orders to customers across various regions.

In November 2023, the website of Lotteimall received 4.9 million visits.

Pros and cons for South Korean businesses

ProsCons
Diverse product range

Established brand trust

Integration with other Lotte services

Ability to participate in Lotte’s loyalty programs
High standards

Potentially higher costs for listing and selling products

Bottom Line

These 8 most popular South Korean e-commerce platforms reveal a diverse and vibrant digital marketplace, each offering unique opportunities and challenges for businesses and consumers. Businesses can harness these platforms to reach wider audiences, tailor their marketing strategies, and enhance their online presence. 

FAQs

Coupang presently holds the top position in terms of popularity and market share in South Korea. Its advanced technology infrastructure and efficient logistics system have helped it to gain a competitive edge over its rivals.
Coupang is often referred to as the Korean equivalent of Amazon due to its vast range of products and services, quick delivery times, and user-friendly mobile application.
Yes, online shopping is widely popular in South Korea, with a significant portion of the population engaging in ecommerce.
While Coupang shares similarities with eBay, its rapid delivery services and diverse product range set it apart.
The South Korean ecommerce market is thriving, with billions of transactions recorded annually, showcasing its substantial size.


Domestic e-commerce sales have been increasing for the past few years, reaching $180.4 billion in 2022, up from $168.5 billion in 2021. (source International Trade Administration)

Several trends will shape the future of South Korean ecommerce:

  • Mobile commerce dominance
  • Same-day and next-day delivery
  • Personalization and AI
  • Interactive and immersive shopping

Yes, these platforms are generally reliable; however, businesses must carefully consider each platform’s requirements and competition.

Sam Nguyen is the CEO and founder of Avada Commerce, an e-commerce solution provider headquartered in Singapore. He is an expert on the Shopify e-commerce platform for online stores and retail point-of-sale systems. Sam loves talking about e-commerce and he aims to help over a million online businesses grow and thrive.