Retail expert committed to hiring disabled people

Han thanks Woori Financial for sponsoring Goodwill Store to open more branches

By Yi Whan-woo

Han Sang-wook, chief director of Goodwill Store, could have focused on his personal well-being after he retired from his position as an executive at fashion and retail giant E-Land Group.

But following the advice of his pastor and life mentor, Han, 65, chose to focus on the well-being of disabled people after visiting Goodwill Store in 2014.

A chain of thrift stores, Goodwill Store was set up in 2011, with the goal of hiring people with autism and developmental disorders to help them achieve financial independence.

The store sells secondhand goods, such as clothes and processed food, donated from corporations, charity organizations and individuals.

Its corporate sponsors include retail businesses, such as CJ Group, GS Retail and BGF Retail.

Before Han joined in late 2014, Goodwill Store had been following a business model widely adopted by nonprofit organizations.

However, according to Han, the model limited growth and needed an overhaul for sustainability.

“A need for improvement in business led me to explore my role at Goodwill Store, where I am committed to spend the rest of my life,” Han told The Korea Times in a recent phone interview.

He attributed the transformation of Goodwill Store's business model to his decades-long expertise in sales and distribution strategies widely practiced in the retail business.

“The transformation was crucial for Goodwill Store to prosper and get closer to its goal of creating more jobs for disabled people. I am glad to capitalize on my previous career to help those who need more care and attention,” Han said.

Goodwill Store has 36 branches nationwide, employing 451 individuals with developmental disorders and posting sales of 38.2 billion won ($26.41 million) as of 2024.

The growth of its business is also seen from the number of donated items, which has nearly doubled from 10.1 million in 2020 to 21 million in 2023.

The number of customers reached 1.84 million, rising from 590,000 in 2020 to 1.23 million in 2023.

Han noted that each worker’s monthly salary, excluding taxes, exceeds 1.5 million won.

The amount, according to Han, is “far higher” than wages paid by other workplaces for people with developmental disorders, who are usually hired for low-paying jobs. Goodwill Store also provides all four major insurances for its employees.

Han attributed the rapid growth in recent years to Woori Financial Group, which has been sponsoring Goodwill Store through its welfare foundation established in 2023.

Since then, the country’s third-largest banking group has committed to donating 3 billion won annually for the next 10 years.

“Opening a branch requires massive money, and we could open six new ones in 2024 alone under Woori Financial Group’s support,” Han said. “We can’t thank the company enough.”

Han also thanked Woori Financial Group for its plan to set up a donation box at every Woori Bank branch.

The box will be placed alongside ATMs, for easy access by bank customers. A ceremony to mark the initiative is set for late March.