Synergy expected from linking the online mall with the KCC Glass HomeCC Incheon store

Namu Sanghoe is set to relaunch its existing online mall (www.blidmania.co.kr) after a full renewal.

‘Buildmania.com,’ the online mall operated by Namu Sanghoe, is an online timber store for professionals such as designers and wood processors, and has built trust with customers over more than 10 years of operation. Today it is a popular online mall well known not only to professionals but also to general consumers with a strong interest in wood. Namu Sanghoe plans to carry out a complete renewal by introducing a new system that resolves the inconveniences of the existing online mall and allows consumers to purchase timber products even more conveniently.

In fact, ‘timber’ is an item that is difficult to sell online due to the nature of the material. There are so many types of wood that it is difficult to keep stock of each item, shipping methods are highly varied—ranging from parcel delivery to freight—and the risk of damage during transport is very high. As a result, it is not easy to purchase online unless the level of trust in the company is high. To overcome these drawbacks, Namu Sanghoe has secured quality and variety in its timber products, strengthened its price competitiveness compared to other companies, and, on top of that, maintained a substantial inventory to enable same-day/next-day shipping upon order. Thanks to these efforts, most of the online mall’s current users are regular customers, and the company is recognized as a leading online player in the domestic timber market.

Building on these existing strengths, Namu Sanghoe planned this online mall renewal so that consumers can more conveniently use everything from timber selection to cutting and delivery services. The more upgraded online mall required more than about five months of development alone, and the development costs were considerable. Nevertheless, Namu Sanghoe established this service foundation to reward the customers who have trusted and used the online mall despite timber being the item on offer.

An official from Namu Sanghoe said, “The recent consumer trend is shifting toward online sales, and in particular, due to the impact of COVID-19, online sales are expanding across every sector. Our company has already broken the prejudice that timber is difficult to sell online and has activated this market, and by presenting a more upgraded online mall, consumers will be able to use it even more conveniently.”

Because Namu Sanghoe’s head office is located in Pyeongtaek, it was difficult for consumers to access. Accordingly, this past February, Namu Sanghoe moved into the KCC Glass HomeCC Incheon store, newly establishing an offline store. In the offline store, customers can not only purchase timber as neatly packaged products but are also giving favorable reviews thanks to a reasonable and transparent pricing policy. Added to this is a timber cutting service, further enhancing convenience. Since moving into the HomeCC Interior Incheon store, Namu Sanghoe has seen a steady increase in customers, and it uses the store not only for sales but also as a venue for various promotions of its timber products.

An official from Namu Sanghoe said, “Together with the move into the KCC Glass HomeCC Incheon store, this online mall renewal is expected to create mutual synergy and serve as an opportunity to take timber sales to the next level. It will satisfy everyone—from consumers who hesitated because they could not see timber in person before buying it, to those who wanted to purchase reliable timber products at more reasonable prices—raising overall satisfaction.” The official added, “In the case of bulk orders, if consumers view the products in person at the store and then order online, they will be able to make a much more reasonable purchase from the consumer’s standpoint.”

Meanwhile, the KCC Glass HomeCC Incheon store is a comprehensive construction and interior specialty store. As consumer interest in DIY interior design has recently grown and consumer demand for timber products has increased, the store has expanded and specialized its timber corner through Namu Sanghoe’s move-in, opening up an opportunity for professional processors and consumers to purchase timber products more easily. 031-352-6016

▲ Namu Sanghoe inside the KCC Glass HomeCC Incheon store