Reduced Operating Hours at Department Stores and Outlets Due to COVID-19 Spread

Lotte Department Store Reduces Operating Hours by 30 Minutes to 1 Hour 30 Minutes

Shinsegae Department Store Adjusts Food Court Operating Hours by 1 Hour to 1 Hour 30 Minutes

On the 7th, the Lotte Department Store main branch in Jung-gu, Seoul, where a confirmed case of the novel coronavirus infection was identified, will temporarily close until the 9th. The doors of the Lotte Department Store main branch are closed on this day. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Hye-seon] As the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) situation continues, the retail industry is shortening store operating hours.

On the 7th, Lotte Department Store announced that it will reduce the operating hours of 51 department stores and outlet stores nationwide by 30 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes. This is the first time Lotte Department Store has shortened its operating hours since it began operations. The decision was made proactively to ease the management burden on tenant companies and to consider the health and safety of employees and coworkers.

The department stores’ operating hours will change to 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Previously, they were from 10:30 AM to 8:00 PM. On weekends, the opening time will change from 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM, and closing time from 8:30 PM to 8:00 PM, shortening hours by 1 hour. For large stores such as the main store, Jamsil store, and Busan main store, considering the large number of customers from opening time, only the weekend closing time will be shortened by 30 minutes to 8:00 PM.

Outlet stores will also adjust operating hours by store. Opening times remain the same, but closing times will change. On weekdays, closing time will be adjusted from 9:00 PM to 8:00 PM, and on weekends from 10:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Lotte Department Store plans to readjust operating hours once the COVID-19 situation stabilizes.

Shinsegae Department Store adjusted operating hours at 12 stores nationwide starting from the 28th of last month. The Daegu store moved its closing time earlier from 8:00 PM to 6:00 PM. The Gwangju, Gimhae, Masan, and Chungcheong stores shortened weekend closing times by 30 minutes. The main store, Gangnam store, Centum City store, Gyeonggi store, Yeongdeungpo store, and Uijeongbu store moved food court operating hours earlier by 1 hour on weekdays and 1 hour 30 minutes on weekends.

Hyundai Department Store will shorten operating hours by 30 minutes from Friday to Sunday at 14 stores excluding the Daegu store starting from the 6th. Operating hours will be from 10:30 AM to 8:00 PM.

However, the Daegu store’s operating hours will be from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Outlet stores are also operating with reduced hours ranging from 30 minutes to as much as 3 hours 30 minutes depending on the store.

Shoe select shop ABC Mart has also been shortening operating hours by 1 to 2 hours at over 100 stores nationwide since the end of last month. Stores located in areas with high foot traffic are targeted.

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