Jakarta, Indonesia – Lotte Mart, a leading South Korean hypermarket chain, successfully concluded its "Global Bridge in Indonesia" initiative in Jakarta, generating an impressive US$9.5 million (approximately 13 billion KRW) in export consultations. Held from June 4 to 8, the program was designed to facilitate the entry of Korean small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) into the vibrant Indonesian market, marking a significant stride in Lotte Mart's ongoing commitment to fostering win-win partnerships and global market expansion for Korean businesses.

The "Global Bridge in Indonesia" is a flagship component of Lotte Mart's corporate social responsibility efforts, aimed at assisting Korean SMEs in exploring and securing overseas sales channels. This year's event saw a collaborative effort with the Korea Rural Community Corporation, building on the success of last year's "2024 Korea Donghaeng Festival with LOTTE" held in Hanoi, Vietnam, in partnership with the Ministry of SMEs and Startups.

The comprehensive program featured two main components tailored to maximize market penetration for participating companies: a "B2B Export Consultation" inviting Indonesian retail buyers, and a "B2C Promotion" allowing direct engagement with local consumers.

B2B Consultations Yield Substantial Outcomes

The B2B export consultation, which took place on June 4, gathered 20 promising Korean SMEs from the food and beauty sectors. These companies engaged in over 130 consultations with 24 Indonesian buyer companies, culminating in the substantial US$9.5 million consultation performance. A testament to the event's effectiveness, several participating SMEs successfully secured new entry agreements with Lotte Mart's Indonesian corporate entity and formalized export-related memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with local buyers.

'LOTTEMART Play Market' Engages Local Consumers

In parallel with the B2B efforts, a "LOTTEMART Play Market" pop-up store was operated at Gandaria City Mall in Jakarta from June 4 to 8. This innovative B2C promotional event showcased products from the participating Korean companies directly to Indonesian consumers, providing valuable real-time feedback and direct sales opportunities.

Strategic Support for Long-Term Market Entry

Beyond direct sales and consultations, Lotte Mart's "Global Bridge" initiative offered a multi-faceted support system designed to enhance the SMEs' understanding of the Indonesian market and aid in developing long-term export strategies. This included strategic seminars with Indonesian online platform companies, in-depth market research of local hypermarket trends, and crucial visits to halal certification bodies such as LPPOM. Given Indonesia's large Muslim population, understanding and navigating halal certification processes is paramount for successful market entry, and Lotte Mart's support in this area is invaluable.

Lotte Mart's Growing Footprint in Indonesia

Lotte Mart's dedication to the Indonesian market is long-standing. The company first entered Indonesia in October 2008 by acquiring 19 stores of the Dutch-owned hypermarket chain Makro, marking a pioneering move for Korean retailers in the country. As of the end of 2024, Lotte Mart operates approximately 50 retail outlets across Indonesia, demonstrating a significant and expanding presence.

Lotte Shopping, the parent company, strategically manages three corporate entities in Indonesia, encompassing wholesale discount stores, retail discount stores, and department stores. Their approach differentiates between densely populated metropolitan areas like Jakarta, where retail stores directly engage consumers, and other regions where wholesale stores cater to local retailers.

Recent initiatives, such as the renovation of the Lotte Mart Kuningan City branch into a K-Food grocery store in January, highlight Lotte Mart's commitment to localizing its offerings while promoting Korean products and culture. This renovation incorporated Korean-style store designs and specialized food areas like the 'Cook It World Buffet.' Lotte Mart is continuously adapting to the evolving retail landscape by repurposing spaces, integrating technology, leveraging data, ensuring affordability, and exploring new store formats and locations, with a strong focus on high-quality fresh products and meal solutions.

In 2022, Lotte Mart's Indonesian sales reached over 1.08 trillion KRW (approximately US$831 million), representing a substantial 73.4% of its total Southeast Asian revenue. While some retail segments have faced challenges due to intense local competition, Lotte Mart's wholesale operations have demonstrated profitability, underscoring a dynamic and evolving strategy to solidify its position in the Indonesian retail sector.

The "Global Bridge in Indonesia" program exemplifies Lotte Mart's broader vision of not only expanding its own global footprint but also serving as a vital bridge for Korean SMEs to thrive in international markets. By offering comprehensive support, from direct consultations to strategic market insights, Lotte Mart is playing a pivotal role in strengthening economic ties and fostering mutual growth between South Korea and Indonesia.