[Report] No Customers During Christmas Peak, Only Carols... Jangnangamgil Merchants Say "Worst in 40 Years"

Toy Sellers Sigh Ahead of Christmas on the 25th
"It's the Peak Time for Gift Shopping"... COVID-19 Surge Casts a Shadow
Seoul Dongdaemun and Cheonho Stationery and Toy Streets Quiet Due to 'Jipkok'

On the afternoon of the 12th, less than two weeks before Christmas, Dongdaemun Stationery and Toy Street in Jongno-gu, Seoul, is quiet due to the impact of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

[Asia Economy Reporters Kim Daehyun and Gong Byungseon] "I really want to turn everything upside down. Our annual sales, which used to average 2 billion KRW, have dropped to 700 million KRW this year, and after deducting operating costs, we're running at a loss. I've even cut down on food expenses to save on living costs."

On the afternoon of the 12th, at a toy store in Cheonho Station Stationery and Toy Street in Gangdong-gu, Seoul, Kim Seonyeong (a pseudonym), a toy wholesaler who has been established here for 20 years since the 1980s, raised his voice repeatedly while displaying toys and board games. He said, "Christmas is the most important season of the year, but there are no customers like this. I come out reluctantly just to cover operating costs." He added, "There were 20 businesses until early this year, but 4 have closed, leaving 16. I heard a few more will close by the end of this year."

Offline stationery and toy retailers are at risk of missing the Christmas season, which is less than two weeks away, due to the impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Merchants lamented that customer visits have sharply declined this year, and with the recent surge in infections raising social distancing to level 2.5, the industry is facing a crisis. This contrasts with the increased sales of stationery and toy products on online shopping malls as children, unable to attend school or academies, spend more time at home.

◆ "Once bustling street now desolate without customers" = The Cheonho Stationery and Toy Street visited that day was quiet even past 1 p.m. on a weekend afternoon, a time when it should be crowded with customers. On the approximately 250-meter-long street, there were only about 20 children and adults combined who came to buy toys. Without the large sculpture in front of Exit 1 of Cheonho Station, it would be impossible to recognize the location. Right next to it, construction of youth housing near the station is in full swing, and there seemed to be more construction workers than children.

On the 12th, a worker at a construction site near Cheonho Station Stationery and Toy Street in Gangdong-gu, Seoul, is passing in front of a toy store and heading to the worksite.

The Dongdaemun Stationery and Toy Street in Jongno-gu, boasting over 50 years of history since the 1960s, was no different. Although there was relatively more foot traffic, merchants emphasized that it was nowhere near the usual levels. Despite decorating the street with various ornaments and playing Christmas carols to create a festive atmosphere, most pedestrians merely brushed past the shops heading toward the nearby wholesale clothing market.

Song Dongho, chairman of the Dongdaemun Stationery and Toy Merchants Association, pointed outside the store and lamented, "Normally, at this time of year, the street should be so crowded with people due to the Christmas season that you can't walk, but now it's desolate." He added, "We can't lay off employees, so everyone is just watching each other nervously. Since customers stopped coming, it's harder than during the IMF financial crisis. I've been in business for 40 years, and this is the worst of the worst."

Customers have also become noticeably cautious due to infection concerns. Some parents repeatedly urged their children to "wear masks properly," and when a child touched toys with bare hands, they were scolded with "Stop touching." A couple lingering in front of a store even said, "Isn't it wrong to exchange money by hand?"

Park Hyeonguk (70), whom we met in Dongdaemun, checked the gift his grandson wanted over the phone and picked up a model excavator toy. He said, "Last time, I came with my son’s family, but today I came alone because of COVID-19," adjusting his mask. Kim Yuhyun (34), who came with two elementary school-aged nephews, said, "I was really worried about coming after seeing the number of confirmed cases today, but I came because I promised the kids. It's good for them to see and choose directly, but I am worried."

◆ "Rather escalate to the highest level... eradicate it" = Online remote classes at schools have also dealt a heavy blow to merchants. Jang Byeongyun (55), a stationery wholesaler in Cheonho, said, "You can say that all the stationery stores and retail shops in front of schools, which accounted for most of our sales, have gone bankrupt," trailing off as he added, "Kids will be more familiar with tablet PCs than notebooks in the future." Jeong Inseok (56), a stationery wholesaler in Dongdaemun, explained, "Kids have to go to school to buy indoor shoes or paints. Not only sports days but also alumni meetings, reunions, and company outings have stopped, so event supplies are not selling at all."

There were also complaints that the government's support policies for small business owners were just for show. Kwon Taewon (58), CEO of Hyupsung Sports in Dongdaemun, waved off the government's small business loan support policy, saying, "I went to the bank, but they required too many documents and the procedures were complicated." He sighed, "If they’re not going to do it properly, I wish they wouldn’t do it at all."

Merchants unanimously expressed hope that the government would prioritize 'quarantine' efforts. A party supplies company official in Cheonho said, "I wish they would just raise the quarantine measures to the highest level. At this rate, it will be hard to keep going for more than a year." Chairman Song also said, "Quarantine is important first. Even if we have to close for a week and not receive customers, we must eradicate COVID-19." He added, "If confirmed cases keep pouring in, even if the government supports loans and consumption coupons, it will inevitably be difficult."

On the 12th, a store in the stationery and toy street of Cheonho, Gangdong-gu, Seoul, hung a "For Lease" banner after the stationery shop on the first floor closed.

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