NS Home Shopping completes Homeplus Express acquisition, calls it 'strategic leap'

Homeplus Express, a corporate supermarket chain, has been acquired by NS Shopping (NS Home Shopping), a subsidiary of Harim Group.

NS Home Shopping held a welcome ceremony for incoming Homeplus Express employees at its Pangyo headquarters on Tuesday, industry sources said.

CEO Cho Hang-mok extended a welcome message to the new staff. "We sincerely welcome the Homeplus Express family," he said, adding that the acquisition was "a strategic leap that goes beyond simply expanding the company's size — it is about transforming who we are."

"NS Home Shopping and Homeplus Express are now one team moving toward the same goal," Cho said. "Let us respect and learn from each other's experience and strengths as we grow together." He also urged employees to "keep customers' value as the top priority, constantly think about what needs to improve, and lead market change through bold action."

The event marked the first day Homeplus Express employees began working at the NS headquarters following the completion of the acquisition.

The two companies plan to collaborate by combining their respective expertise. NS Home Shopping will contribute its digital commerce capabilities and food specialization, while Homeplus Express brings its experience running community-based stores and on-the-ground competitiveness — together aiming to offer differentiated products and services.

Homeplus Express was sold as part of Homeplus's corporate rehabilitation proceedings. NS Home Shopping paid 120 billion won ($78.1 million) in full and signed the final business transfer agreement on Monday.

A newly established subsidiary, Homeplus Express Co., will manage the chain under NS Home Shopping. Homeplus Express operates 286 stores nationwide, including 66 franchise locations.