Refund rate raised to 13%, monthly limit expanded to 500,000 won
Ulsan Pedal to get delivery fee, commission subsidies
App adds merchant search and other new features
Ulsan Pay, the region's local currency card, will move beyond serving as a simple payment method by raising its refund rate and revamping its merchant-locator app. It aims to become a community-focused local financial tool that all residents can use conveniently.
In addition, Ulsan Pay's affiliated services — the delivery and pickup platform Ulsan Pedal and the mobile shopping mall Ulsan Mall — will strengthen their role as public services. They will offer discount coupons to consumers and subsidize delivery fees and commissions for merchants.
The Ulsan city government announced Wednesday a plan to boost the use of Ulsan Pay, Ulsan Pedal and Ulsan Mall. The initiative coincides with chuseok and Ulsan Citizens' Day on Oct. 1.
For October and November, Ulsan Pay will raise its refund rate from 10 percent to 13 percent and expand the monthly benefit limit from 300,000 won ($224) to 500,000 won. As a result, users can receive up to 65,000 won in refunds per month.
From Oct. 1 to Oct. 11, to mark Ulsan Citizens' Day, the refund rate will rise further from 13 percent to 15 percent, returning up to 75,000 won per month.
In addition, the city will run a "Chuseok Shopping Basket Relief" campaign from Sept. 10 to Sept. 30. Ulsan Pay payments made at traditional markets and shopping districts registered as Ulsan Pay merchants will receive a 5 percentage point bonus on top of the existing 10 percent refund. This brings the total refund to 15 percent. Businesses designated as good-price stores will continue to offer the 15 percent refund through the end of the year.
The city will also revamp the Ulsan Pay app to improve usability. New features include a simplified mode, a location-based nearby merchant search feature, a gift-sending function, a card company points conversion feature, and city event notifications.
Ulsan Pedal and Ulsan Mall will offer 5,000-won discount coupons from Sept. 10 to Sept. 30. From October through December, the city will also support Ulsan Pedal merchants with a 4,000-won delivery fee subsidy per order and a 2 percent commission subsidy. This will ease delivery cost burdens for small business owners.
"We prepared this plan to boost local consumption and increase sales for small business owners," said Ryu Jae-gyun, director of Ulsan's Economic Affairs Bureau. "We will continue to improve Ulsan Pay and Ulsan Pedal so they can serve as a model for mutual growth that benefits both residents and small business owners."
cityblue@heraldcorp.com
