GS Retail received the top "best" rating in the 2026 Co-Growth Index released by the Korea Commission for Corporate Partnership. Its convenience store chain GS25 earned the "best" rating in the franchise sector, while home shopping channel GS Shop received an "excellent" rating in the home shopping sector. [GS Retail]
GS Retail received the top "best" rating in the 2026 Co-Growth Index released by the Korea Commission for Corporate Partnership. Its convenience store chain GS25 earned the "best" rating in the franchise sector, while home shopping channel GS Shop received an "excellent" rating in the home shopping sector. [GS Retail]

GS Retail said Wednesday it received the top "best" rating in the 2026 Co-Growth Index released by the Korea Commission for Corporate Partnership for the third consecutive year, earning the designation of "Honorary Best Enterprise."

The Co-Growth Index measures the level of shared growth between large corporations and small and medium-sized enterprises. Ratings are assigned based on a comprehensive assessment of fair trade practices with partner companies and cooperative activities.

GS Retail also ranked first in the retail sector among industry-specific evaluations. By business unit, its convenience store chain GS25 earned the "best" rating in the franchise sector for the fifth time, while home shopping channel GS Shop received an "excellent" rating in the home shopping sector for the third consecutive year.

GS Retail said the results reflected its practical co-growth efforts, including initiatives to support franchise operators, expand sales channels for partner companies, ease cost burdens and improve productivity.

GS25 has developed its support system since 2017, when it became the first in the industry to announce a co-growth support plan for franchise operators. The company has since introduced a range of measures, including a sales incentive system, increased inventory disposal limits and store operation subsidies.

GS25 has also signed co-growth agreements with companies in the plastics processing industry covering payment adjustments, as part of ongoing efforts to create a stable business environment and support sustainable growth for small and medium-sized partner companies.

GS Shop runs various support programs to expand sales channels and strengthen product competitiveness for small and medium-sized enterprises. These include a broadcast sales support program for small businesses called "Sangsaeng On & Up" and a commission-free sales broadcast for small and medium-sized enterprises.

GS25 and GS Shop are also jointly pursuing an "Innovation Partnership" program to help partner companies improve their competitiveness. The initiative provides tailored funding and consulting — covering facility investment, prototype development and product design improvement — to help build a foundation for sustained growth.

"The growth of our franchise operators and partner companies is the very source of GS Retail's sustainable competitiveness," said Kwak Chang-heon, head of GS Retail's sustainability management division. "We will continue to listen to franchise operators and small and medium-sized partners, support their business stability and competitiveness, and build a co-growth ecosystem where we grow together."


spa@heraldcorp.com