Coupang Eats, the third-largest player in the South Korean food delivery market, announced Monday that it will offer free delivery service for its premium members, a move aimed at expanding its presence in the intensifying industry.

Under the plan, Coupang Eats will offer unlimited free delivery service for WOW members from March 26.

The monthly subscription fee for WOW membership is 4,990 won ($3.7). In addition to existing benefits such as Rocket Delivery, Rocket Fresh, Early Morning Delivery, and Coupang Play (video streaming), members will now enjoy the added benefit of free food delivery.

The free delivery service provides benefits without restrictions on the number of orders, order amounts, or long-distance deliveries.

Members can also enjoy additional discounts on food prices with coupons or overlapping discounts.

WOW members can also choose between free delivery and the premium single home delivery service.

Coupang Eats’ free delivery optimizes delivery routes, considering the expected arrival time, to ensure swift delivery to customers.

WOW member benefits are available not only in the metropolitan area and major cities but also in key regions of Chungcheong, Gangwon, Gyeongsang, Jeolla, and Jeju.

Coupang’s announcement comes at a time when delivery app operators are engaged in fierce competition to attract customers.

According to market data, the monthly active users (MAU) of delivery apps were dominated by Baedal Minjok with 21.9 million users in February, accounting for 65 percent of the total.

It is followed by Yogiyo with 6.03 users (18 percent) and Coupang Eats 5.7 users (17 percent). While Yogiyo saw a 16.6 percent decrease compared to the same period a year ago, Coupang Eats saw a rapid 64.7 percent increase, swiftly closing in on the second position.

By Kim Geum-yi and Minu Kim

[ⓒ Pulse by Maeil Business News Korea & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved]