Unique Scenes Overcoming COVID-19... "Enjoy Homecare Healing" (Comprehensive)

[Asia Economy reporters Lee Seon-ae and Choi Sae-hye] As social distancing spreads due to the impact of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), consumption patterns are also changing. Unlike the early days when sales of some daily necessities such as bottled water and ramen increased, sales of 'healing' products that allow people to enjoy leisure and relaxation are now on the rise.

◆Popularity of 'Healing' Products That Comfort Me= According to Gmarket on the 27th, sales of puzzle books including Sudoku surged by 720% compared to the same period last year over the past month. Sales of plaster air fresheners increased by 311%, and jigsaw puzzles and frames rose by 222% during the same period. Sales of home gallery supplies, coloring book sets, heat packs, and sitz baths increased by 120%, 81%, 74%, and 33%, respectively. Sales of memory foam pillows and aroma candles also rose by 89% and 24%, respectively.

Auction is showing a similar consumption pattern. Sales of plaster air fresheners and jigsaw puzzles and frames increased by 392% and 208%, respectively. Aroma candles, home gallery supplies, coloring books, and moxibustion devices also increased by 65%, 62%, 57%, and 14%, respectively.

Not only pillows, candles, and heat packs that help relieve tired bodies and minds during rest, but also puzzles, coloring books, and economic games that allow people to spend time on hobbies are being sold evenly.

A Gmarket official explained, "As social distancing has been strengthened due to the impact of COVID-19, various healing activities that can be done at home are increasing," adding, "This trend is expected to continue for the time being, so sales of related products are also expected to steadily increase."

◆Home Care Sales Steadily Increasing= Meditherapy, which sells foot patches and mugwort moxibustion, has also recently seen an increase in sales of self-care products. Sales of 'Derma Relax Healing Patch' and 'Stay Warm Relax Patch,' patches that relieve fatigue accumulated in the legs and feet and help blood circulation, increased by 57% and 93%, respectively, over the past month. Sales of 'Self-Heating Relax Spot,' a mugwort moxibustion product that can be used without fire, also rose by 20%.

Sales of home care product lines that allow comfortable health and skin care at home also showed a clear upward trend. 'Soksal Pad,' specialized in skin exfoliation and moisturizing, and the body line management beauty device 'Soksal Spin' have experienced consecutive sell-out phenomena, and sales of the low-frequency foot mat 'R&B Mat' also increased by nearly 20% compared to the previous month. A Meditherapy official said, "Thanks to the interest of self-care enthusiasts who want to heal and take care of themselves at home, first-quarter performance is expected to increase more than threefold compared to the previous year."

◆Tea Instead of Coffee= At coffee shops, tea menus known for their antibacterial effects are selling like hotcakes. According to Starbucks Coffee Korea, sales of Mint Blend Tea in February increased by 150% compared to the same period last year. Mint leaves are rich in vitamins A and C, omega-3, fatty acids, and minerals, and are often used to treat colds and flu, and are known to help overcome respiratory diseases.

Sales of Youthberry Tea also increased by 140% compared to the same period last year. Youthberry Tea (white tea) destroys organisms that cause diseases and has higher antibacterial effects than green tea. Sales of Jeju Green Tea, which is excellent in antioxidant effects, also increased by 25% compared to last year. Twosome Place also saw sales of Honey Lemon Tea, effective for colds and headaches, increase by 160% compared to the previous year. Coffee Bean's season-limited 'Winter Dream Tea' has recently become a popular menu item as its immune-boosting effects have become known.

Tea menus are also popular in online malls. Sales of tea beverages and traditional drinks on Gmarket increased by 39% compared to the previous year. In particular, sales of mint tea increased by 54%, and sales of yujacha (citron tea), known to be effective for coughs, headaches, and neuralgia, increased by 41%. Sales of green tea also rose by 35%.

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