New Coronavirus Bomb... Marts with 30% Fewer Customers, Department Stores, Shopping Malls, and Water Parks Closing

Visited Emart Bucheon Branch Where Confirmed COVID-19 Case Was Present
Enhanced Quarantine and Hygiene Measures... Only Food Section Bustling
Department Stores, Complex Malls, and Water Parks Also Closed or Reduced Hours
"More Staff Than Customers" Issues with Labor and Quarantine Costs

[Asia Economy reporters Minyoung Cha and Seungjin Lee] We visited the Emart Bucheon branch in Bucheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, which reopened three days after temporarily closing due to confirmation that a COVID-19 (Wuhan pneumonia) patient had visited. Contrary to concerns that customer visits would cease due to fear of the new coronavirus infection, customers continued to come in as soon as the store reopened.

◆"Feeling safer because of thorough disinfection"= On the 4th, a housewife named Lee (39) visited the mart with her two daughters aged 3 and 5. Although all were wearing masks, they did not appear anxious. Lee said, "I heard that disinfection was done thoroughly, so I came with my children without much worry," adding, "Since I have young children, I can't avoid grocery shopping, so I'm relieved that the store reopened quickly."

Since a confirmed patient had visited, Emart was paying close attention to hygiene management for consumers. An employee was stationed next to the shopping carts, disinfecting each cart handle before handing it to customers. Hand sanitizers and wet wipes were placed throughout the store, including the entrance, so customers could use them frequently. Despite it being a weekday afternoon, about 100 customers were filling their baskets with groceries on the 3rd floor, where food items are located in the four-story store. A noticeable difference from the past was that everyone wore masks, and some even wore gloves. Mr. Choi (72) said, "Whether someone has been here or on the subway, it's equally risky. Young people shop with their phones, but people like us would starve if we don't come to the mart."

Unlike the food section, the 5th and 6th floors, where miscellaneous goods and clothing are located, appeared sparse, with employees outnumbering customers. An employee of a tenant store, when asked if there were concerns about the new coronavirus infection, pointed to the store and said, "Do you see even one customer now?" He added, "It's not about whether I get sick or not; the problem is that there are too few customers, which is a big issue." Another tenant employee noted, "It doesn't seem like customers are particularly worried about whether a confirmed patient visited this store," adding, "The bigger problem is the overall depressed atmosphere because people are not going out much."

In fact, on that day, Emart Bucheon branch recorded about a 30% decrease in visitors compared to before the temporary closure. An Emart official said, "In the case of the Gunsan branch, which temporarily closed after a confirmed patient visited, the number of visitors quickly recovered to pre-closure levels, so Bucheon is expected to be similar," adding, "However, the bigger issue is the overall decline in offline consumption due to the impact of the new coronavirus."

◆Large shopping malls and water parks also close= The distribution industry is shortening operating hours and closing stores one after another as the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases rises to 16. This is an unavoidable decision to prevent damage through early disinfection and to minimize business losses. Starfield Goyang and Hanam, comprehensive shopping malls operated by Shinsegae Property, have decided to temporarily postpone cultural performances throughout February. The water parks, where winter water play is enjoyed, will also close. Starfield Hanam has decided to suspend Aqua Field operations from the 4th to the 28th. The primary reason is the high usage rate by children with vulnerable immune systems. Especially for water play, the possibility of direct infection through droplets (saliva, secretions) is high.

Large department stores have also taken emergency closures. Hyundai Department Store will close 13 branches, including Mia branch which closed on the 3rd, as well as Trade Center, Cheonho, and Sinchon branches, on the nearest Monday, the 10th. The Apgujeong main branch is under discussion. Hyundai Outlet will operate normally at all six locations. Shinsegae Department Store will also close all 13 branches, including regional ones, on the 10th. Lotte Department Store is actively considering closures. Additional disinfection measures will be implemented to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus.

The duty-free industry has independently started shortening operating hours at downtown duty-free shops. Hyundai Department Store Duty-Free Trade Center branch will reduce operating hours by three hours starting from the 5th. Lotte, Shinsegae, and Shilla I'Park duty-free shops have shortened operating hours by about 2 to 2.5 hours starting from the 4th. Shilla Duty-Free Store has entered indefinite temporary closure at its Seoul and Jeju branches following visits by confirmed patients.

A Shinsegae Group official said, "In the case of Starfield Hanam, Aqua Field water park has many child users who are vulnerable, so there is a high risk of damage, and since the vacation season is ending, we decided to suspend operations for the entire month of February," adding, "As for the suspension of cultural events, it is currently unknown how long it will last." A duty-free industry official explained, "The shortening of operating hours at downtown duty-free shops was not pre-coordinated but rather a shared consensus. For airport duty-free shops, additional consultations with Incheon International Airport Corporation and others are needed, so it is difficult to apply time reductions immediately."

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