The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that it will operate a pop-up store called ‘Will you buy Seoul? Will you live in Seoul!’ from February 21st to 23rd at Seongsu-dong (Solu Edit, 15 Yeonmujang-gil 11-gil), where visitors can directly experience products made by small manufacturers in Seoul. This event was organized to promote the consumption of high-quality domestic products and raise awareness of small manufacturers’ brands amid the aggressive push by Chinese e-commerce (C-commerce) companies leading with ultra-low prices.
The event, organized by the Seoul Manufacturing Support Center, will feature 31 companies selected from six manufacturing support centers (sewing: Geumcheon, Changsin, Gangbuk, Seongbuk; socks: Dobong; leather: Gangdong) that produce fashion items such as clothing, bags, and socks. The machinery and metal (Gaebong) manufacturing support center is not included in this event.
The event will showcase various products, including youth startup brand clothing with modern sensibilities, eco-friendly products that recycle worn-out jeans into bags, and unique fashion accessories. Through this, the Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to widely promote the excellent technologies of small manufacturers and support their market expansion and brand promotion.
Ko Kyung-in, Director of Beauty Fashion Industry Division at Seoul Metropolitan Government, said, “This event will be an opportunity to establish a channel where designers and urban small manufacturers can connect to create job opportunities,” adding, “Beyond simple one-time support, we will spare no effort in supporting small manufacturers’ sustainable growth and global competitiveness through raising brand awareness, testing new products in the market, and building networks with domestic and international buyers.”
It remains to be seen whether this pop-up store will help Seoul’s small manufacturers’ products become more widely known to consumers and strengthen the competitiveness of the domestic fashion industry.