Founder Kim Woo-choong’s formula for success in emerging markets still applicable, says professor

Conglomerates strive to maintain identity

The Coca-Cola Korea Youth Foundation marked its 10th anniversary this year and celebrated its decadelong dedication to helping teenagers find motivation to work out and pay attention to their health. By providing physical training, sports opportunities and nutrition consulting, the foundation, established by Coca-Cola Korea, the local unit of the world’s largest soft drink maker, has been working on improving teenagers’ lives here.The most popular program is the health class, in which teenagers

Toymaker in talks with foreign buyers to export next hit

Cuckoo Electronics CEO Koo Bon-hak. (Yonhap)Koo Bon-hak, chief executive of Cuckoo Electronics, the nation’s largest electric rice cooker maker, has become a rising star in the corporate world after his wealth jumped on a recent stock listing.On Aug. 6, Cuckoo Electronics listed 9.8 million shares on the nation’s main stock bourse. During the ensuing 20 days, share prices skyrocketed 60 percent from the initially offered price of 104,000 won. On Friday, it closed at 186,000 won ($182). On that d

A refreshing change has set in on the retail streetscape of South Korean cities that sets them apart from the shopping center-dominated streets of China. In 2014, Seoul, one of the top 10 biggest metropolitan cities in the world, seems finally to have put the financial crisis behind it and there are signs of development activity once more. In contrast to the huge volumes of new supply we see in China, the Seoul retail property scene looks remarkably healthy.There is a vibrant cafe and restaurant

Auto giant may fall if management, labor prolong fruitless battle, expert says

InterBeer Korea launched Praga Premium Pils, a high-end beer brewed in traditional Czech style.Praga is one of many names of the Czech Republic’s capital city, Praha. Using the famous Saaz hop and water pumped from 300 meters underground the Pivovar Samson Brewery in the Czech Republic, the beer is brewed for 55-65 days, which is about 30 days longer than other beers. This process makes the beer easy to swallow and full of floral aromas, the company said.“Praga Premium Pils has been sold in Euro

Premium German stroller brand ABC Design has launched Zoom, the smallest double/twin buggy on the German market. The two seat attachments supplied with the product can be turned to face in either direction, so that the parents can adjust the seats to face front or back. Children can sit one behind the other or face each other. The angle of recline on the backrest is optimized for the health of the infant spine, the company said. The telescopic handlebar is also height-adjustable. The stroller is

AmorePacific’s affordable makeup brand Etude House opened its Shanghai flagship store on Aug. 8. Under the theme “Princess Palace,” the store has added a touch of fantasy to the interior that is mostly painted in pink and white.Upon arrival, visitors walk down the “pink carpet,” then look into the “Princess Mirror” after trying on products stacked on the “Pink Castle” shelves. A “Pink Pumpkin Coach” loaded with make-up tools is also installed in a corner. Those who want to experience the latest

German sports goods maker Puma has released vintage-style running shoes, the Trinomic XT1 and the XT2 Plus.Colored in red, grey and black, the running shoes have a ’90s look, but were upgraded with state-of-the-art technology. Making the most of an outsole form, it features a cushioning system composed of hexagonal pads to absorb shock and provide support. “The shoes are sporty but at the same time are perfect for daily activities,” a Puma spokesman said. “They have inherited the Puma spirit.” T

Family-controlled Orion Group, the nation’s second-biggest snack giant after Lotte, took a bold measure last week by dismantling the office of chairman, which had served as the control tower for the group for decades. Prior to this, group chairman Tam Chul-kon had governed the group with his wife and vice chairman Lee Hwa-kyung since he took up the chairmanship in 2003. Tam is a son-in-law of the late Orion founder Lee Yang-gu.  Tam Chul-kon“There is no doubt that dismantling the control tower w

Dole Korea released five kinds of pre-made salads representing cuisines from different countries. Among the five, the European Blend is composed of Romaine lettuce, ordinary lettuce, raddichio and other vegetables that go well with steak. The Italian Blend contains red onions and Romaine lettuce, while the Mediterranean Blend has green and red chicory, baby tomatoes and Romaine lettuce. The American Blend has red lettuce, carrots and Romaine lettuce, while the Family-Size Romaine Mix has a littl

Starbucks Korea released two new kinds of iced blended drinks ― the Italian Coffee Cookie Frappuccino and Mango Fruits Pudding Blended Juice. The Italian Coffee Cookie Frappuccino, inspired by the popular Italian dessert tiramisu, has a cookie and whipped cream on top of a tiramisu sauce made with the Starbucks Italian Roast. The light version has 56 percent less calories than the non-light version. The Mango Fruits Pudding Blended Juice contains both mango pudding and juice. Both beverages cost

Global sporting goods maker Adidas opened Adidas Originals Seoul Flagship Store in Apgujeong-dong of southern Seoul on Thursday. This is the third store of its kind in the world, following those in Berlin and Shanghai. The three-story store is composed of a footwear zone on the ground floor, women’s apparel zone on the second and men’s apparel zone on the third. Some of the most popular and limited edition items including the ZX FLUX Seoul ― a unique line of sports goods with prints inspired by