IKSAN — Harim (136480) Chairman Kim Hong-kuk said the group will expand the store network of Homeplus Express, the supermarket chain it acquired in June, signaling a commitment to building up the business. He also outlined plans to deepen cooperation with affiliates including NS Home Shopping and the group's meat processing facilities to widen synergies across production, processing, distribution and retail.
Speaking at the welcoming address for "NS Food Festa 2026 Iksan," held on the 16th at Harim First Kitchen in Iksan, Jeonbuk State, Kim said: "We will grow Homeplus Express into another distribution channel through which we share our food philosophy with customers." Harim Group strengthened its offline retail business in June by acquiring Homeplus Express after Homeplus, which was undergoing corporate rehabilitation proceedings, carved out and sold the unit.
"NS Home Shopping has run an excellent business based on TV, mobile and digital platforms, but it faced the structural limitation of being a business that lacked a physical, brick-and-mortar presence," Kim said. "With growth in home shopping slowing, there was a thirst for a new business, and we thought that joining with Homeplus Express would let us find a good solution." Applying NS Home Shopping's food sourcing capabilities and supplier network to Homeplus Express's brick-and-mortar stores would broaden sales outlets for suppliers and strengthen competitiveness in fresh food, he said.
Kim also expressed confidence about turning Homeplus Express around. "The stores have become considerably more stable and sales are recovering, so we have a positive outlook," he said. "Existing Homeplus Express stores are concentrated in the Seoul metropolitan area and large cities, but I think the number will grow naturally."
Kim outlined the group's plan to link food production, logistics and distribution. Harim Group is investing 140 billion won ($98 million) to build a dedicated meat processing plant at the National Food Cluster in Iksan. Once completed, the plant will create a production system connecting the group's existing chicken plant and Harim First Kitchen, its integrated food plant.
"When the meat processing plant starts operating next year, the Harim Food Triangle in Iksan will be complete," Kim said. "This triad will lead Harim Group's food business and move toward not only the domestic market but the global market."
NS Food Festa, now in its 19th year, is being co-hosted by the city of Iksan and NS Home Shopping for two days from the 16th at Harim First Kitchen in Iksan. Events include a national cooking competition with 120 teams, a demonstration of chilled buckwheat noodles by chef Ahn Yu-seong and a hands-on session on making white kimchi with cucumber stuffed with chicken breast, led by kimchi master Shin Seung-ju.
Cho Hang-mok, chief executive of NS Home Shopping, said: "The competitiveness of K-food comes from outstanding food manufacturing technology, combined with regional food culture, diverse ingredients and a passion for trying new flavors. We will work to help NS Food Festa grow into a festival that conveys the value and diversity of Korean food and shapes the future of the food industry."