Kurly, a South Korean e-commerce company, said on Apr. 18 that it has entered into a strategic business partnership with Naver. As part of the agreement, Kurly plans to launch a store on Naver’s shopping platform, Naver Plus Store, within the year to sell food, daily essentials, and other consumer goods.
The partnership is widely viewed as a strategic move by both companies to reinforce their positions in the e-commerce sector and to counter the dominance of Coupang, which currently leads the market.
Naver has been ramping up its e-commerce operations, including the recent launch of an artificial intelligence-powered shopping app last month. However, the company continues to face limitations in the fresh grocery segment. Kurly, which is known for its expertise in fresh food delivery, introduced South Korea’s first next-morning delivery service for perishables in 2015—a service once considered impractical in the retail industry. The company also operates a proprietary logistics network.
Through the partnership, Kurly is expected to expand its distribution channels beyond its standalone platform, Kurly Mall, by leveraging Naver’s massive user base—the largest in the country. The collaboration is anticipated to bolster Kurly’s business performance.
Industry observers expect further cooperation between the two companies. Naver may utilize Kurly’s logistics infrastructure, while Kurly could offer exclusive product lines through Naver. Reports also suggest that Naver is considering acquiring an equity stake in Kurly.
