SOPH SHOP

SOPH SHOP is a DTI-Registered group order manager of official KPOP merchandise from South Korea and Japan. Established on 5th May 2019, the shop aims to sell products and provide services with long and flexible payment deadlines.

Having operated from 2019 to 2021, the shop sold various merchandise from K-pop groups BTS, SEVENTEEN, TOMORROW X TOGETHER, TWICE, BLACKPINK, IZ*ONE, and others. Most group orders are often for new album releases or called comebacks in K-pop culture. These are usually released through platforms like Weverse Shop, Ktown4u, Withdrama, Synnara, and more. What makes each of them different are the pre-order benefits (POB) offered per store, which vary from photocards, postcards, magnets, keychains, and a lot more offers. These POBs usually entice fans to buy the albums way before the release date.

Other than albums, the shop also sold BTS DVDs and Blurays. These are usually rare items depending on how long it has been since it was released. BTS DVDs usually come with photobooks, DVDs, postcards, lenticular cards, and a random photocard. Lightsticks are also a staple among K-pop fans, and the shop also sold a lot of them. What makes purchasing lightsticks much more challenging than the rest is the fact that stores usually have a maximum limit on how much each account can buy.

For more information, the shop's website further detailed the order, payment, and delivery process.

I founded SOPH SHOP in the hopes of providing K-pop fans an avenue to support their favorite idols with long payment deadlines. As the general manager, I oversee the supply chain, sales, marketing, customer care, and logistics aspects of the entire business. As such, I was the one who contacted and negotiated with suppliers. I place orders with the album distributors and ensure that they are delivered to my Korean address. Moreover, I marketed the group orders and collected orders and payments. With the PH GO seller industry being saturated, one has to be wise with marketing their group orders. The shop offered lots of freebies as well as long-term payment terms for fans who would avail while still getting the most out of their orders. Consequently, I arranged transportation from South Korea or Japan to the Philippines and distributed the orders locally via third-party couriers.

Behind the shop is a team of eight people that ensures the success of each group order. Two of them worked in customer service, and four worked in logistics and local distribution. The two admins primarily communicate with buyers regarding order confirmation and updates. Meanwhile, the four logistics staff ensure that the items are packed and shipped off correctly to the buyers. Externally, the group orders would not have been possible without my consolidator in South Korea, who ensures that my orders arrive safely at their address and is the one who ships them off from South Korea to the Philippines.