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WPIC Launches South Korea E-commerce Market Report

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Liam Mather

Director of Corporate Affairs

Published on September 29, 2025

Seoul — September 29, 2025 — WPIC Marketing + Technologies is proud to announce the release of its South Korea E-commerce Market Report 2025, a comprehensive new data set and analysis focused on South Korea’s digital commerce landscape.

The report offers brand leaders, investors, and industry stakeholders actionable intelligence on platform dynamics, category performance, channel trends, and consumer behavior in Korea. With Korea now ranked as the third-largest e-commerce market in Asia-Pacific, the report outlines how local consumer expectations—especially around speed, service, and omnichannel experiences—are pushing global and domestic brands to adapt rapidly.

Key Takeaways from the Report

  • In 2024, South Korea’s online gross merchandise value (GMV) is estimated at ≈ ₩300 trillion KRW (~US$215 billion), representing roughly one-third of total retail sales.
  • The report zeroes in on high-growth categories that are accelerating faster than the overall market, including Health & Supplements, Athletic Apparel / Outdoor, Mother & Baby, Pet Products, and Beauty & Skincare.
  • Dominant platforms such as Coupang (≈ 40% share) and Naver Shopping (≈ 20%) continue to command the market, while social commerce, livestream shopping, and integrated ecosystems are emerging as critical battlegrounds.
  • Korea’s mobile-first consumption, high consumer confidence in e-commerce, fast delivery expectations (e.g. Coupang’s Rocket Delivery), and advanced payments infrastructure all make it a challenging but rewarding market for foreign brands.
  • The report also assesses how localization, omnichannel integration, social commerce, and inventory / logistics strategies are key differentiators for success in Korea’s competitive environment.

“South Korea may be geographically compact, but in digital commerce it punches far above its weight,” said Jacob Cooke, CEO of WPIC Marketing + Technologies. “Brands that understand the Korean consumer’s high-speed expectations, content-led discovery habits, and omnichannel behavior will find Korea a proving ground for Asia-wide excellence. With this report, we aim to empower brands to move beyond assumptions and unlock paths to meaningful growth in Korea and the broader region.”

The full South Korea E-commerce Market Report 2025 is now available for download.

For inquiries about licensing, custom data access, or consulting support related to Korea or adjacent markets, please contact WPIC at info@wpic.co or through our website contact form.

About WPIC Marketing + Technologies:

WPIC Marketing + Technologies drives market expansion for global brands in China, Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia through strategic brand development, data analytics, e-commerce solutions, marketing, logistics, compliance, essential support services, and more. With over 400 full time professionals, WPIC has successfully deployed and grown over 650+ brands across APAC over the last 20 years.

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