Hwaseong Expands Fair-Price Businesses to 130 Establishments...Increases Support for Small Merchants

Hwaseong Special City (Mayor Jung Myung-geun) has expanded its fair-price business establishments, which provide affordable products and services, from 98 locations as of September last year to 130 establishments this year, enhancing the competitiveness of local small merchants.

According to the city, the number of fair-price businesses increased from 98 as of the end of September 2025 to the current 130, an increase of 32 establishments (32.7%). This is 24.4 percentage points higher than the average growth rate of 8.3% across the other 30 cities and counties in Gyeonggi Province during the same period. The number of newly designated establishments is the highest among 31 cities and counties in the province.

The city determines designation by conducting on-site evaluations of applicant businesses regarding price levels, sanitation, and cleanliness conditions, and continues to manage operational status through regular inspections after designation.

From October this year through year-end, the city is operating a cashback support program that returns 5% of transaction amounts when payment is made with local currency at fair-price establishments.

The city also provides customized goods and certification plaques to designated establishments and promotes the businesses through the city's website and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety website to support increased usage.

This year, the city has contributed 3.5 billion won to the Gyeonggi Credit Guarantee Foundation, supporting the largest special guarantee program for small merchants in the province at 35 billion won across 31 cities and counties in Gyeonggi Province. For low-credit small merchants who have difficulty accessing special guarantees, the city supports interest on microfinance loans to alleviate financial burdens.

Park Sun-hee, head of the Local Economy Division, said, "The designation of 130 fair-price businesses is an achievement made through the efforts of small merchants who have maintained reasonable prices amid rising prices and the city's support. We will strengthen substantive support, including local currency benefits and business promotion, so that this can lead to increased sales for small merchants."