Lotte Main Store Also Suspends Operations... 12 Locations Closed So Far (Comprehensive)

New Coronavirus Patients Surge, Distribution Industry Hit Unavoidable

12 Distribution Stores Temporarily Closed

On the 7th, the Lotte Department Store main branch in Jung-gu, Seoul, where a confirmed case of the novel coronavirus infection visited, will temporarily close until the 9th. Next to the closure notice, customers wearing masks are leaving the department store. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Im Hye-seon] As confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia) surge domestically, temporary closures of multi-use facilities such as department stores, marts, and hotels visited by these patients are continuing. So far, 12 places have either temporarily closed or are currently closed. With the spread of the novel coronavirus expected to continue, the distribution industry is inevitably facing significant damage.

On the 7th, Lotte Department Store Main Branch temporarily closed from 2 p.m. due to the visit of a confirmed coronavirus patient and began a full-scale disinfection process. Lotte Duty Free Seoul Branch, located in the same building, also suspended operations.

Lotte Department Store officially received notification from the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that the 23rd confirmed patient visited the main branch on the 2nd. Accordingly, Lotte Department Store decided to temporarily close as a preemptive measure for the safety of customers and employees. From 2 p.m. that day, announcements informing customers of the temporary closure were made, and after customers left, the store entered temporary closure immediately.

A Lotte Department Store official stated, "After thorough disinfection measures, we plan to reopen on the 10th."

The 23rd female patient entered the country on the 23rd of last month for tourism purposes, checked out of the President Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul around noon on the 2nd, then walked to Lotte Department Store Main Branch where she shopped from 12:15 p.m. to 1:19 p.m. Afterwards, she used an acquaintance's vehicle to go to an urban lodging facility in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, and at around 2:20 p.m. visited Emart Mapo Gongdeok Branch in Mapo-gu, staying until 4:09 p.m. She showed symptoms on the 3rd and was confirmed positive on the 6th, currently under isolation.

The President Hotel is also closing. Emart Mapo Gongdeok Branch made announcements about temporary closure from 2 p.m. that day and immediately entered temporary closure. An Emart official explained, "We plan to conduct disinfection once daily until the 9th and will decide on reopening in consultation with health authorities."

This is the third time Emart has suspended store operations, following Gunsan Branch and Bucheon Branch. Bucheon Branch was confirmed to have been visited by the 12th and 14th confirmed patients, a couple, on the 30th of last month, leading to closure on the 2nd and reopening on the 4th. Gunsan Branch temporarily closed for three days from the 31st of last month to the 2nd of this month and resumed operations on the 3rd.

Hyundai Outlet Songdo Branch, confirmed to have been visited by the 19th confirmed patient, also entered temporary closure from 3:30 p.m. on the 6th. GS Home Shopping temporarily closed its headquarters after a confirmed case among employees. The temporary closure period lasts until 6 a.m. on the 8th. During this period, all GS Shop TV home shopping broadcasts are reruns.

Some duty-free shops also suspended operations but reopened on the 7th. Shilla Duty Free Seoul Branch and Jeju Branch, and Lotte Duty Free Jeju Branch entered temporary closure on the 2nd. AK Plaza Suwon Branch, where the spouse of a confirmed patient worked as a subcontractor, also closed on the 3rd.

Not only temporarily closed stores but also nearby multi-use facilities are conducting disinfection. Homeplus Incheon Songdo Branch, located near Hyundai Premium Outlet Songdo Branch, carried out emergency sterilization and disinfection throughout the store for the safety of customers and employees.

A Homeplus official said, "All employees working in the store are wearing masks, and the store's cultural center has suspended all classes until the 9th."

With store closures continuing, the distribution industry is expected to suffer even greater damage. Lotte Department Store Main Branch’s average weekday and weekend sales are approximately 6 to 7 billion KRW and 8 to 10 billion KRW, respectively. The average daily customer count is about 60,000 to 80,000 on weekdays and 80,000 to 100,000 on weekends. Lotte Duty Free Main Branch’s daily sales range from 18 to 20 billion KRW. Due to this closure, Lotte Department Store and Lotte Duty Free Main Branch are estimated to incur losses exceeding 50 billion KRW.

A distribution industry official said, "As fear of the novel coronavirus infection grows, people are increasingly avoiding multi-use facilities. Although sales will be impacted, we will prioritize the safety of customers and employees and devote all efforts to preventing further spread."

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