Seoul: South Korea's top search engine operator Naver Corp. on Tuesday vowed to expand tie-ups with commerce platforms and other service providers to enhance brand loyalty by leveraging its user base. The announcement came after Naver recently unveiled Kurly N Mart, which offers overnight grocery delivery service under a partnership with Kurly Corp., operator of the shopping platform Market Kurly.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee Yoon-sook, who heads Naver's shopping division, emphasized during a press briefing that Naver's commerce business has been growing due to its strategy focusing on seller-oriented technology, policy, and education. Lee noted the tie-up with Kurly is an example of how businesses can bolster their brand loyalty through cooperation with Naver, which holds a wide array of users along with advanced marketing infrastructure.
Lee stated that the partnership with Kurly is mutually beneficial, as it allows Naver to address issues like cold chain and overnight delivery infrastructure without making a huge investment. Meanwhile, Kurly can seek growth without significant spending by leveraging this strategic partnership, as it would otherwise cost them to secure customers.
During the press briefing, Naver also announced a new partnership with taxi-hailing app Uber, which will start in the third quarter, linking its paid subscription service Naver Plus to the platform. Lee mentioned that Naver intends to expand cooperation with partners that have leadership and brand loyalty in everyday life, including areas such as over-the-top services, groceries, and mobility.