Study on the Need of Developing Manuals for Visual Merchandising for Traditional Market: Focusing on the Korean Rice Cake Shop

Purpose - Korean traditional markets are falling behind the times, because they have not met the demands of social changes including: an overall improvement in standards of living, shift in purchasing form and propagation of cars. It is one of the most indigenous and conventional foods of Korea, taking a seat far in the corner of Korean traditional culture. Research design / data / methodology - Korean traditional rice cakes however have their limits. They are produced and sold by independent shop owners who cannot compete with the brand power of franchise organizations. The leadership of adminstration is needed for these shop owners particularly in visual merchandising related to interior design and display. Results - Additionally, the advent of major company-run rice cake cafe adds fresh fuel to the problem in addition to small but luxurious packaging. Small business owners need packaging technology for overall quality improvement of sales of rice cakes. Additional help is needed with the mode of packing to promote sales and win consumer confidence. Conclusions - Further assistance with marketing for seasonal displays is needed as well as teaching business owners how to read graphic data. Regular specialized education for visual merchandising of rice cakes could help independent market owners win the competition against franchise-based organizations.