Following South Korean e-commerce giant Coupang's IPO on the New York Stock Exchange, other domestic distribution firms are making swift moves to follow suit or joining forces with other rivals.

Naver and Shinsegae - both number one in on- and offline shopping - plan to combine Shinsegae and E-mart's brick and mortar distribution network with Naver's online platform and artificial intelligence technology to maximize synergy.

Online grocery service Market Kurly and ticketing and social commerce firm TMON are also likely preparing for listings at home and abroad to procure funding.

However it is yet unknown who will take over eBay Korea, which operates online shopping malls Gmarket and Auction.

A researcher at Korea Investment and Securities predicts similar patterns of collaboration will increase in the distribution market where competition is expected to grow amid the pandemic and affected by Coupang's U.S. trade debut.