For First Time in Korean Food Industry
Nongshim completed its instant noodle Shin Ramyun’s entry into 4,692 Walmart stores all over the United States in June this year. As a result, Shin Ramyun took the honor of being "the first Korean food sold at all Walmart stores in America."
Nongshim has increased the supply of the product mainly to metropolitan areas since cutting its first direct deal with the Walmart, the world's largest distribution company, for the first time as a Korean food company, in 2013. Starting with Walmart's large-sized stores, the Korean instant noodle giant recently completed the distribution of its products even at small and mid-sized Walmart stores in small cities.
Analysis says that all Walmart stores’ selling Shin Ramen means that Shin Ramyun’s brand took the global stage. In fact, Walmart's products sold throughout the United States are global food brands such as Coca-Cola, Nestle, Pepsi, Kellogg and Heinz. Nongshim explained that Shin Ramyun was recognized as a brand as valuable as global brands in the US.
Based on Walmart and the brand power of Shin-Ramyun, Nongshim is entering a variety of distribution channels including small and medium-sized marts, convenience stores, and supermarkets. Nongshim is employing a strategy to expand sales of products to small-scale stores by making good use of its success with Walmart.
"Nongshim is driving up sales by means of aggressive sales and marketing activities such as road shows at Walmart, Costco, Sam's Club, and other local distributors. We will catch up with Japanese brands within several years," said Shin Dong-yup, head of Nongshim America.