Lotte is expanding financial and overseas marketing support for its partner companies, helping ease cash-flow pressures and connect smaller businesses with international buyers.
Ahead of Chuseok, 27 Lotte affiliates paid 949.5 billion won ($698 million) to about 12,000 suppliers an average of eight days early. The group has made early payments before major holidays since 2013.
Lotte also operates a 1 trillion won fund to help partners secure working capital. It said it was the first major Korean company to adopt a shared-payment system across all affiliates.
To help small and midsize businesses reach overseas markets, the group has held its Brand Expo since 2016. Across 22 editions, the events have drawn more than 1,600 companies and generated export consultations worth over $1.2 billion.
In May, Lotte jointly hosted the 2026 Lotte-Korea Brand Expo in Madrid with the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency and the Korea Foundation for Cooperation of Large and Small Enterprises, Rural Affairs and Fisheries. Fifty companies held 522 consultations with about 70 buyers from seven European countries, discussing potential deals worth $34 million.
The event also featured a K-beauty pop-up modeled on a Seoul beauty salon, showcasing cosmetics, fashion, wellness products and food. Visitors took part in Korean skincare demonstrations and personal color consultations.
Lotte’s partner programs also include cultural events. In March, the group hosted its fourth annual Lotte Happiness Sharing Concert at Lotte Concert Hall in Seoul, drawing about 1,300 employees from 340 partner companies, alongside staff from 12 Lotte affiliates.
The concert featured the Ditto Orchestra, led by conductor Kim Kwang-hyun, and performances by violinist Danny Koo and singers Park Ki-young and Yoo Jae-hoon.
jyoungseon8@heraldcorp.com
