Thoughts on Korean Business by Don Southerton

By Don Southerton, BCW Editor I learned much about sustainability from the major Korean Groups that I support. They all have strong CSR and sustainable future initiatives.  Moreover, Korean Confucian tradition finds people rooted to the land as stewards. I see Chipotle as a brand that's core values embrace sustainability. They are highly engaged in local sourcing when possible. Notwithstanding the spicy flavor of the burritos, which will appeal to Koreans, the brand aligns on many level with Korean well-being, Green, and as noted sustainability. Chipotle would do well in Korea.  Their leadership would be find the market not only lucrative, but boldly embracing Chipotle values... Check out this video.

By Don Southerton, BCW Editor After months of work, I can share news that America's top golf retailer Golfsmith has signed a MOU with GOLFZON, Korea's leader in golf simulation technology. We work closely with both firms serving as consultants providing a wide range of services. AUSTIN, Texas, Aug 22, 2011 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX) -- Golfsmith International Inc.  GOLF -0.46%  , the largest golf specialty retailer in the U.S., today announced it will introduce its first retail operations outside the U.S., in South Korea, the fastest growing golf market in the world. This new agreement with GOLFZON Co. (kosdaq:GOLFZON) is another step in Golfsmith's global strategy aimed at forging partnerships around the world as the company continues to leverage its brand assets internationally. Golfsmith will reinvest the income generated from this new partnership back into its core U.S. business where the company continues to gain momentum and market share. The Memorandum ...

By Don Southerton, BCW Editor Last week's article on Seoul's Passion 5 drew a number of inquiries on SPC. Here's a short summary. I see them as Korea's top food brand. 1.Brand Name: SPC Group 2. Year of establishment:  1945 3. Company Positioning:  The largest and most profitable Food company in Korea with sales of $2.4 Billion in 2010, which grew from $1 Billion in 2005. SPC has ambitious plans to grow the company through acquisition of international brands and development of its international organization. 4. Brands: SPC has developed its own brand, Paris Croissant, a high quality bakery café, to become the # 1 domestic brand in sales volume in Korea: 2800 stores and $ 1.2 billion in sales in 2010. SPC has also built the Baskin Robbins/ Dunkin Doughnuts business into market share leaders in Korea in each of their businesses generating $ 486 million in sales and 1733 stores on a combined basis. SPC has just licensed Jamba Juice and plans to open...

By Don Southerton, Editor BCW On my frequent trips to Korea, I tend to visit familiar places--some historic, some trendy. I just added Passion 5 to my list. I recommend you do, too.  Passion 5 is an ambitious project of the SPC group, a food specialty group which includes Paris Croissant, Baskin Robbins and Dunkin Donuts. Italian architect Marco Lucchi designed the eye-catching building and some 36 chefs make delicious desserts. Passion 5 is divided into four sections ― Cafe, Bakery, Patisserie and Chocolatier, with a trendy restaurant on the 2nd floor. 

By Don Southerton, Editor I posted this in our sister blog, KoreaLegal.org . I shares an overview of the IP battle between Apple and Samsung smart technology phone and pads. Bitter rivals, ironically Samsung is also a major supplier to Apple.   Time for an update on the Apple-Samsung IP battle.  International Business Times  provides a great timeline. In one of the tech world's biggest lawsuits, Apple Inc. has sued Samsung Electronics for copying the aesthetics of its iPad tablet and iPhone. Both Samsung and Apple entered into a legal battle over patent infringement back in April. Samsung counter sued Apple in four countries on three different continents. There is no compromise in sight between the giants. The legal battle is likely to carry on, which could result in a loss of millions of dollars to settle each claim in the court. Here is the timeline of the legal battle which began in April 2011. April 15, 2011 - Apple Inc., based in Cupertino, Ca...