Shinsegae offers bags made in Namdaemun

In line with its efforts to boost cooperation with merchandisers at traditional markets, Shinsegae Department Store said yesterday it has jointly developed a “Made in Namdaemun” bag to give out to customers as a gift starting tomorrow.

“The bag has been developed jointly by us and Namdaemun Market,” said an official from Shinsegae Department Store. “We did the design and the actual making of the bag was done by a leading bag manufacturer at the market.”

The jointly developed fashion bag is called “Love It! Together Bag,” and all materials used are from Korea. The bags will be distributed to the first 400 customers daily from tomorrow through Sunday at Shinsegae Department Store’s main branch in Myeong-dong, central Seoul.

According to Shinsegae, the bags were manufactured by Wing House, which has 20 years of experience and was recommended by a group of vendors at Namdaemun Market.

In October, Shinsegae signed an agreement with Jung District and Namdaemun Market and has been offering help to vendors by offering business consultations, providing marketing solutions for foreign consumers and holding a food event at the market. Shinsegae will hold its second food event tomorrow through Thursday at its basement floor where popular dishes including bindaetteok (Korean-style pancake) and jokbal (boiled pig’s feet) from the market will be sold.

“Working with Shinsegae Department Store has been a real boost for business,” said Lee Geun-woo, an official from Wing House. “We hope we’re given similar opportunities in the future.”

BY LEE EUN-JOO [angie@joongang.co.kr]