Online and offline bookstores in South Korea are competing to strengthen their rapid book delivery services. Industry analysts say book platforms are mounting a counteroffensive as Coupang expands its influence in the online book market through its "Rocket Delivery" service, which delivers books ordered the same day by the following morning.
Online bookstore Yes24 announced on the 3rd that it is launching a new "7-day Bullet Delivery" service. The core change expands its same-day delivery, morning delivery (arriving before 7 a.m. the next day), and one-day delivery (arriving the next day) services—previously available Monday through Saturday—to include Sundays.
"We strengthened our delivery service to respond more quickly to the increasing orders for study guides and reference books during the back-to-school season," said Kim Ju-sung, head of Yes24's marketing division. "We expect to enhance customer satisfaction through seven-day delivery."
Industry observers believe Yes24's expansion of rapid delivery services is aimed at countering Coupang. Books for infants and elementary school students, test preparation materials, and children's books reportedly account for a significant portion of Coupang's book sales.
Kyobo Book Centre also offers dawn delivery service, with books ordered by 10 p.m. arriving before 7 a.m. the next day. The company also provides same-day delivery for orders placed by noon on weekdays or 11 a.m. on Saturdays in Seoul and the greater metropolitan area. "Baro Dream," which allows customers to pick up books at stores, is another signature online-to-offline service from Kyobo. Customers can order at the lowest online price and receive their books at a Kyobo store within one hour.
Online bookstore Aladdin has partnered with same-day courier specialist SLX to offer "Magic Carpet Delivery" in the Seoul metropolitan area. Books ordered by 1 p.m. on weekdays arrive between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. the same day. The company also offers "Weekend Express" and "Sunday EXPRESS" services for weekend orders, delivering books before Monday morning commutes. Orders placed between noon Saturday and 10 p.m. Sunday arrive around 7 a.m. Monday.
"Competition among book platforms to shorten delivery times has intensified recently as Coupang has emerged as a dominant force in the online book market with its Rocket Delivery," an industry source said.