In just over five years, the Korean cosmetics company Yeppo & Soonsoo has achieved rapid growth both online and in stores. Posti’s parcel and warehousing services support growth and help to serve customers as well as possible.
Popularity of Korean cosmetics as a driver of growth
Yeppo & Sonsoo opened its first store in the shopping center Tripla in 2019. At first, the store sold a wide range of Korean products, but gradually the focus turned to cosmetics and skincare.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit and customers couldn't get to us, we decided to go to our customers ourselves. We couldn't afford to deliver the parcels, so my husband and I transported them with our student bus cards.
Elisa Ahonpää-Kim, founder and CEO of Yeppo & Sonsoo.
Business grew as more and more Finns became enthusiastic about Korean cosmetics. The company soon started using Posti’s parcel deliveries, and parcels were conveniently delivered to customers under the same roof, from the Posti outlet in Tripla's K-Supermarket.
Professionally managed warehouse for peace of mind
The next phase of growth came when the company’s own warehouse became too small. Yeppo & Sonsoo decided to outsource its warehouse to Posti in early 2024 so that parcels could be delivered to customers quickly and accurately packaged.
According to Elisa, having an outsourced warehouse provides peace of mind that operations are running smoothly even when there are a lot of orders.
My team has gained flexibility and I know that the toughest peak times are taken care of by professionals. The warehouse has good facilities, equipment and tools that we would not be able to provide ourselves. I can sleep peacefully when I know things are going well.
Elisa Ahonpää-Kim, founder and CEO of Yeppo & Sonsoo.
Delivery speed is an important competitive advantage
Today, Yeppo & Sonsoo has nine and a half stores in Finland, four stores in Sweden and an online store serving both countries. There are already around 100 brands in its selection.
The brick-and-mortar stores and the online store support each other. Elisa believes that the store network has contributed to the growth of Korean cosmetics by allowing customers to come and ask about the products in person. On the other hand, the products can be ordered quickly and easily online.
Speed is therefore an important competitive advantage for the company. Fast deliveries are promoted by having the same partner for warehousing and transport.
"We are competing especially with Asian online stores on whether parcels are delivered in a day or a week. We want our customers to get the fastest deliveries possible. Many have been pleasantly surprised by the speed: we have received comments from customers about how they placed their order the night before, and the next day the parcel had already arrived," Elisa says.
Posti involved in future growth
Yeppo & Sonsoo continues its growth journey. On a record-breaking Black Friday last year, their sales increased by around 300 per cent from the previous year. In 2025, the company hopes for growth and internationalization, but continues to focus on the domestic market in Finland and the customers who have made this fantastic growth possible.
When there is growth, we hope that Posti will be involved and that we will be able to react to the growing needs together. The cooperation has gone well, so let’s keep up the good work!
Elisa Ahonpää-Kim, founder and CEO of Yeppo & Sonsoo.
Elisa also sends greetings to new online stores that are getting started:
"Be brave! We started the company with financial aid for students, and this is how far we have come. If you believe in yourself and your product, you’re sure to succeed."