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From Delivery Apps Challenge Olive Young's Dominance in Korean Beauty Market

How could the rise of delivery apps affect Daiso's market position in Korea?

Possible What happens if… A possibility worth considering, not a forecast.

Intensified delivery competition may challenge Daiso's market share in Korea The emergence of delivery apps like Baemin and Coupang Eats is intensifying competition in the Korean beauty sector, which already features Daiso as a challenger. These apps are gaining ground by offering significantly faster delivery times—around 30 minutes—and lower prices, often by sourcing surplus or near-expiry stock. This shift in consumer expectations and competitive dynamics puts pressure on all retailers in the market, including Daiso, which is actively competing for market share alongside Olive Young.

Reported by 1 independent outlet Written 1 hour ago
Effect
Mild negative
How direct
3 steps, 1 inferred by Brind
When
Within weeks
The story
Still developing

How it reaches Daiso

Reported by news outletsBrind's reasoning

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The facts so far

As reported. Each one links to where it comes from.

  • Coupang Eats and Baemin deliver beauty products in about 30 minutes.koreaherald.com
  • CJ Olive Young claimed 21.5 percent of the Korean beauty retail market in the first half of the year.koreaherald.com
  • Olive Young's fastest delivery tier averaged 55 minutes this year.koreaherald.com
  • Daiso is noted as one of the growing challengers in the beauty market.koreaherald.com

Why it matters

The beauty retail market in Korea is highly competitive, with Olive Young holding a dominant position. The entry of delivery apps, which leverage existing logistics networks and offer rock-bottom prices through surplus stock, fundamentally changes the competitive landscape. This shift means that traditional retail strategies, which rely on physical store presence and curated selection, must now contend with hyper-efficient, low-cost digital alternatives.

Daiso, already positioned as a challenger in this market, is directly exposed to this disruption. The increased focus on delivery speed and price options means that Daiso must either rapidly integrate similar quick-commerce capabilities or risk losing market share to the delivery giants and other agile competitors.

What we don't know yet

  • How quickly can Daiso integrate quick-commerce delivery options into its operations?
  • Will the low-price strategy of delivery apps force a general price war across the Korean beauty retail sector?

What would change this answer

Daiso announces a major partnership with a delivery platformThe competitive pressure on Daiso would likely lessen, as it would gain access to the speed and infrastructure of the delivery apps.
Olive Young significantly improves its delivery speed to match the 30-minute windowThe competitive advantage held by the delivery apps would diminish, potentially stabilizing the market for all retailers, including Daiso.

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Brind's analysis is written by AI from the reporting linked above and can be wrong. This explainer is a possibility worth considering, not a forecast: steps marked as Brind's reasoning are not stated in the reporting. It is not investment advice; do your own research.