TAIPEI (TVBS News) — South Korean e-commerce giant Coupang (酷澎) revealed impressive financial results Wednesday (May 7), reporting a dramatic 67% year-over-year revenue surge in its emerging business segments, with Taiwan emerging as the standout performer among its international markets. Company executives attributed much of this growth to the enthusiastic adoption of their premium "WOW Membership" subscription service by Taiwanese consumers, which has catalyzed both increased customer spending and enabled the company to expand its available product catalog by a remarkable 500% during the first three months of 2025.
The company's founder and chief executive, Bom Kim (金範錫), expressed particular satisfaction with how rapidly Taiwanese shoppers have embraced the premium subscription model, noting distinctive patterns of consumer behavior that include more frequent purchasing activity and substantially higher per-transaction spending amounts. These consumption patterns closely resemble those previously observed in Coupang's home market of South Korea. To capitalize on this momentum, the company has aggressively broadened its merchandise assortment throughout Taiwan while simultaneously securing direct supply agreements with major multinational consumer brands including Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Procter & Gamble, and Japanese hygiene products manufacturer Unicharm.
During the earnings call, Kim reaffirmed the company's strategic commitment to continued substantial investment in Taiwan's rapidly evolving e-commerce landscape, characterizing these expenditures as reflections of the leadership team's strong confidence in the market's operational trajectory and growth potential. The founder projected that this sustained investment approach in Taiwan would generate considerable returns for the company's shareholders over both medium and long-term horizons as the platform solidifies its position against established local competitors and international rivals seeking to expand in East Asia. ★