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source:
Kpopherald
KeyEast Entertainment -- the South Korean entertainment agency led by
Hallyu star Bae Yong-joon -- has entered the bid to open a new duty-free
store in downtown Seoul, joining at least eight other firms competing
for a single operating license to be granted to one small- or
middle-sized enterprise.
The agency said Sunday that it has formed a consortium with City Plus
Co. -- a Korean duty-free shop operator with stores in Incheon and
Cheongju International Airports -- and eight other local and China-based
firms to establish a new company, Seoul Duty-Free Co., to enter the
bid.
The KeyEast-led consortium seeks to open a new duty-free shop, to be
called DF Seoul, on the top floor of the Maxtyle mall located in the
heart of the Dongdaemun Shopping Complex, a popular tourist spot in
Seoul.
“The consortium consists of companies who have a strong background in
duty-free operations, retail business management and Hallyu marketing,”
said a Seoul Duty-free official. “Our new duty-free store will fuse
Hallyu with shopping and differentiate itself from the shops operated by
conglomerates.”
Meanwhile, at least nine other SMEs are in the running for the duty-free
bid -- Eugene Corp., Paradise Global, Hana Tour, Hi Brand, Joong Won
Duty Free, the Korea Fashion Association, the Grand Daegu Hotel, the
Sejong Hotel and the Jeil Pyunghwa consortium.
After closing bids on Monday, the Korea Customs Service will rate the
candidates based on five evaluation categories. The selected company, to
be announced as early as July, will gain the right to operate a
duty-free shop in Seoul for five years.
By Sohn Ji-young (jys@heraldcorp.com)
