Alibaba has hit the streets in Korea.
Somebody wants a bite of Dunkin's profits. We can't yet say that Alibaba is directly targeting American fast food and bakery chains but this place looks like it is set up to under sale Dunkin' Donuts.
They offer Korean investors an opportunity to open a chain store at low upfront costs compared to their American competitor.
They offer simply item menus and use orange letters like another donut chain I've been to. They also offer a bakery that sells an assortment of treats and more "healthy" snacks.
There are already five stores open in Seoul.
There are Alibaba donut stores open all over the country and three more new stores planning to open up soon.
I love a sugar high as much as the next person but I hope the Korean public can see through the surface of this bakery ripe off chain. I think it's too late though. No one can pass by a good deal and when it comes to food it is even more tempting.
At the time Korean bakeries are in danger Alibaba comes in and starts a donut/ bakery chain. When I look at their donuts and bakery products I don't feel hungry. I feel sick. I know people have to make a living but there has got to be another way than to submit to large corporations from world power nations.
When I first came to Korea almost every bakery was a mom and pop bakery.
One by one they disappeared as chain bakeries owned by conglomerate corporations like Paris Baguette owned by SPC group corporation and Tous Les Jour owned by CJ Group. Only a few niche bakeries like Peter Pan and Richmond still survive in Korea.
The non-corporate bakeries that remain are special and have a flavor to themselves. But these bakeries are rare and have been taken over by large commercial bakeries. Now these Korean commercial bakeries are in danger of being taken over by foreign bakeries.
I'm not afraid
Years of bakery tradition will not be gone overnight for a few empty calories at a discount price. Well, maybe I should be afraid. The world is called a free market, but is it really free?
There is a price we pay in mass production and buying whatever is the cheapest because it is tasty. There is a great price to pay for our convenience and our desire to make a quick profit. We are losing our identity and are in danger of losing even our freedom. All this for a donut and some coffee.
