Hyundai Department Store Rolls Up Sleeves to Promote Domestic Agricultural Products... Onion Gift Giveaway

[Asia Economy Reporter Seungjin Lee] Hyundai Department Store has rolled up its sleeves to help farmers struggling due to the impact of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

On the 5th, Hyundai Department Store announced that starting from the 6th, it will give away 'Muan Onions' from Jeonnam as a free gift at the food sections of all 15 stores nationwide, including the Apgujeong Main Store. Customers who wish to receive onions can simply show the receipt of their purchase made on the same day at the Hyundai Department Store food section, regardless of the purchase amount.

Usually, free gifts are mainly daily necessities due to the risk of product spoilage, so providing agricultural products like this is unusual. Hyundai Department Store purchased a total of 15 tons of Muan onions for this event. The onions will be provided in limited quantities of 1,000 sets (1 kg, 4 onions per set) per store.

A Hyundai Department Store official said, “To minimize customers crowding at once to receive the free gift, onions will be given out at the food section checkout counters instead of a separate gift desk,” adding, “Safety personnel will be stationed in front of the checkout counters to ensure ‘health distancing’ between customers.”

From the 8th to the 19th, Hyundai Department Store will hold the ‘Taste of Spring, Heart of Spring’ event for 12 days at the food sections of all 15 stores nationwide. The event offers over 30 types of domestic agricultural, livestock, and marine products at discounts of 30-50%, with a total prepared quantity of about 100 tons. Notably, about 10 types, including cucumbers, onions, and anchovies, were products originally intended for school meals.

Hyundai Department Store’s initiative to promote consumption of domestic agricultural, livestock, and marine products comes as dining-out consumption has decreased due to COVID-19, and farmers who cultivated produce for school meals are facing difficulties due to the postponement of elementary, middle, and high school openings. In fact, agricultural products for school meals are at risk of being discarded as sales channels have been blocked by the delayed school openings.

Shin Hyung-gu, head of Hyundai Department Store’s Food Business Division, said, “Following the reduction of commissions for small grocery stores, we are conducting this consumption promotion event to provide practical help to farmers struggling due to COVID-19,” and added, “We plan to continue various efforts to support farmers in the future.”

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