From the 1st, 'Splash Protection Masks' Will Be Available Nationwide at Large Supermarkets and Convenience Stores

'Sold-Out Frenzy' Droplet-Blocking Masks
Available at All CU, Seven Eleven, and Emart24 Stores Nationwide
Lotte Mart and Homeplus Also Stocked... Specific Plans Undecided
Emart and GS Retail Began Sales Last Week

The droplet-blocking masks, which experienced a sold-out frenzy, will be available at major supermarkets and convenience stores nationwide starting from the 1st of next month. The photo shows Wellkips' droplet-blocking mask to be sold at CU. (Photo by CU)

[Asia Economy Reporter Seungjin Lee] The 'splash-proof masks,' which had been sold out nationwide, are expected to become widely available at major supermarkets and convenience stores across the country starting in July, easing the supply shortage.

According to the distribution industry on the 30th, from the 1st of next month, splash-proof masks will be available for purchase at nationwide convenience stores such as Lotte Mart, CU, 7-Eleven, and Emart24. CU will begin selling the 'Wellkips Untact Light Mask' (5-pack, 3,000 KRW) at over 14,000 stores nationwide starting July 1.

7-Eleven will also sell Wellkips splash-proof masks at about 10,000 stores nationwide from July 1, and on the 3rd, it will introduce two additional types of 'Nepure Splash-Proof Masks' in large and small sizes (5-pack each, 4,500 KRW). The masks sold at 7-Eleven include a total of 16 types: 3 splash-proof masks, 3 KF series masks, and 10 regular masks.

The splash-proof masks sold at Emart24 are 'Wellkips' (5-pack, 3,000 KRW) and 'Air Queen' (2-pack, 1,950 KRW), with unit prices of 600 KRW and 975 KRW respectively. They have prepared a total of 1 million masks for the first week of July, including 300,000 Wellkips and 700,000 Air Queen masks, and plan to increase supply based on sales trends.

Lotte Mart and Homeplus have not yet announced specific sales plans but are expected to impose purchase limits per person when selling. A distribution industry official said, "Although the stock of splash-proof masks is not yet sufficient, each mask manufacturer is steadily increasing production volume," adding, "We are making every effort to secure supply to prevent another mask shortage."

With masks becoming available at easily accessible convenience stores, the renewed 'mask shortage' is also expected to disappear. Emart began selling splash-proof masks on the 24th, but demand exceeded supply, resulting in long lines from early morning for mask purchases. Online secondhand trading sites also saw transactions at prices more than twice the normal price.

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