SEOUL -- Survey data revealed that approximately 35 percent of South Koreans have embraced subscripted services to enhance their daily convenience. The most popular among these services was home appliance rental and hygiene management, utilized by 18 percent of the population.
A subscripted service, also known as a subscription service, is a retail solution that consistently delivers products or promised services monthly without requiring users to regularly renew orders or supply contracts. Applying for subscripted services is conveniently done through smartphone apps.
In South Korea, subscripted services span from rental services for water purifiers, bidets, and dishwashers to lunchbox meal deliveries, fresh grocery deliveries, and home cleaning services. The popularity of fresh grocery delivery services surged during the COVID-19 pandemic as people opted to avoid crowded shopping malls and supermarkets to prevent infection. Smartphone retailers introduced convenient overnight delivery services, particularly favored by busy working individuals and young mothers.
According to a 2023 survey conducted by the Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KORCHAM), involving 33,317 South Koreans, 35 percent utilized at least one subscripted service. The leading monthly service was water purifier rental and hygiene management service, capturing 18 percent, followed by fresh food and lunchbox meal delivery services at 7.5 percent.
Despite South Korea boasting one of the world's cleanest tap water systems, the preference for cold and fresh water has led to the popularity of refrigerated water purifier devices. Additionally, it's common for households to subscribe to bottled water deliveries.
