Pharmacists and Convenience Store Owners Also Reluctant Amid 'Mask Shortage'... 'SARS Effect' Boosts Demand for Kimchi and Onions

Convenience Store Mask 2+1 Discount Promotion Fully Canceled
Lunar New Year Virus Outbreak Issue Spreads
Online and Offline Shortages... No Additional Home Shopping Broadcast Planned

On the 29th, amid growing concerns over the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia), Chinese tourists are lining up to buy masks at a pharmacy on Myeongdong Street in Seoul. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporters Yujin Cho, Minyoung Cha, Seungjin Lee] "Masks are completely sold out even on pharmacist-only websites." On the morning of the 31st, a pharmacist working at a pharmacy in the Myeongdong area of Seoul sighed and said this. Myeongdong is a popular tourist spot for Chinese tourists and has been hit hard by the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia). He hinted, "Looking at the inventory, it seems we can only sell for another 2 to 3 days, and if we can't secure stock after that, selling will become completely difficult."

As the fear of the novel coronavirus spreads worldwide, a 'mask crisis' is occurring both online and offline in South Korea. As an alternative, kimchi and onion juice, known for boosting immunity, are experiencing a sudden boom reminiscent of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak in the past.

According to the related industry on the 31st, two major convenience store chains in Korea have completely canceled their planned 2+1 discount mask sales promotions scheduled for February. This is due to variables arising from the spread of the novel virus issue after the Lunar New Year holiday. Emart24 and CU explained that they decided to suspend the events after consulting with manufacturers because there was a high possibility of causing damage to customers and store owners due to stock shortages.

All four home shopping companies that urgently scheduled broadcasts selling KF94 grade masks certified by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (KF) also broke their 'sold-out' records. In the case of Lotte Home Shopping, after selling 5,000 sets, more than four times the target, in the first broadcast on the 28th, the 1,500 sets and 500 sets prepared for the 29th and 30th were all sold out in 7 minutes and 5 minutes, respectively. NS Home Shopping also sold a total of 40,000 sets within about 10 minutes of the broadcast start on the 30th, with pre-orders alone reaching 32,000 sets.

On the 30th, as the threat of the novel coronavirus continues, customers are purchasing masks and hygiene products at a large supermarket in Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

However, home shopping companies explained that due to pre-orders exceeding initial expectations, there are no plans to schedule additional broadcasts for the time being. CJ O Shopping excluded all planned late-night re-broadcasts and special broadcasts after mask order amounts on T-commerce broadcasts on the 28th reached 220 million won, surpassing expectations. On the affiliated online shopping platform CJmall, orders for yellow dust masks from January 20 to 30 surged 95 times compared to the previous week, with order amounts increasing 113 times.

Demand also surged for Labsin, a personal hygiene brand of Aekyung Industrial. Orders for hand sanitizers increased 47 times and hand soaps 23 times around the Lunar New Year holiday. Requests for special sales quantities through channels such as home shopping and open markets also surged. A representative from Aekyung Industrial said, "Factories sourcing hand sanitizers and hand soaps are receiving continuous orders for 100 million units each from Hong Kong and China." Namyoung Vivian, currently operating under an emergency work system, is also considering expanding its production facilities.

While mask shortages are occurring, demand for traditional foods known for antiviral effects, such as kimchi and onion juice, is also increasing. According to SSG.com, sales of garlic, onions, kimchi, and green tea from the 23rd to the 29th of the recent week increased significantly compared to the same period last year. Garlic and kimchi sales rose by 102% and 97%, respectively, while onions and green tea increased by 83% and 66%, respectively.

All these foods have been mentioned recently on social networking services (SNS) as foods that boost immunity and help prevent coronavirus infection. Especially after the fourth confirmed case of Wuhan pneumonia in Korea on the 27th, messages rapidly spread on KakaoTalk and YouTube recommending eating kimchi, saying, "During the 2003 SARS outbreak, kimchi protected our people."

Additionally, it was revealed that an army unit in Gangwon Province instructed soldiers to cut the top and bottom of onions, which have antibacterial effects, like 'ritual fruits' and place 3 to 4 onions indoors. Some citizens then spread the information, claiming that onions are government-certified infection prevention foods.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.