Gyeonggi Province Public Delivery App 'Delivery Express' Launches December 1

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Park No-hun] Gyeonggi Province's public delivery app 'Delivery Express' is taking its first steps.

Gyeonggi Corporation announced on the 18th that it will begin pilot operations of 'Delivery Express' in Hwaseong, Osan, and Paju starting December 1.

This marks the app's debut eight months after the company approved the 'public delivery app development project' through a temporary board of directors meeting in April.

'Delivery Express' was initiated to guide the delivery app market—which has formed a virtual monopoly—toward fair competition and to support small business owners struggling with excessive commissions and advertising costs.

In particular, it is the first-of-its-kind digital platform project pursued through public-private collaboration in the nation and is a key pillar of Gyeonggi Province's digital new deal initiative.

Gyeonggi Corporation, a subsidiary of Gyeonggi Province, took charge of publicity and planning based on administrative capabilities to ensure project success, while a consortium led by NHN PayCo handled app development to establish an efficient system.

Remarkable results were shown in recruiting partner stores for the delivery app's success.

Following recruitment efforts in the three pilot regions for just over a month starting in August, during the advance registration period (August 19–September 30), the company recruited 3,699 partner stores, exceeding the original target of 3,000 and demonstrating small business owners' high expectations.

As of November 17, a total of 4,580 partner stores in the pilot regions have joined 'Delivery Express,' achieving 153% of the target goal.

Various benefits and events for consumers linked with local currency are also being prepared.

The company established a system allowing local currency—previously usable only in offline settings—to be used online. When paying with local currency, consumers receive not only a 10% discount but also 5% discount coupons, providing benefits for both consumers and small business owners.

Additionally, an app launch notification event is underway.

Gyeonggi Corporation plans to begin service in the pilot regions and, after incorporating user experience feedback, sequentially expand to all of Gyeonggi Province around 2021.

Han Gil-ryong, chairman of the Paju Small Business Owners Association, stated, "With the business launch date for 'Delivery Express' confirmed, I believe it will provide relief to small business owners trapped in a biased delivery app market. I eagerly await the day when a fair delivery app ecosystem becomes not a dream but reality."

Lee Seok-hun, CEO of Gyeonggi Corporation, said, "'Delivery Express' has rushed forward without pause and is now poised for launch—I am deeply moved and feel the weight of greater responsibility. We will approach this as a win-win platform providing broad benefits not only to small business owners but also to consumers."