Emergency Alert in Distribution Industry under 'Capital Region Level 4' ... Strengthening Online and Fast Delivery

An interim closure notice has been posted at the Hyundai Department Store Trade Center branch in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, where a COVID-19 cluster infection occurred on the 7th. According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, after two employees of the Trade Center branch were first confirmed positive on the 4th, employees and acquaintances were subsequently infected. The total number of confirmed cases related to this cluster is 47. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] Ahead of the implementation of Level 4 social distancing measures in the Seoul metropolitan area starting on the 12th, distribution industries such as department stores and large supermarkets have strengthened their quarantine measures to the maximum extent possible. In accordance with government guidelines, they are shortening nighttime business hours and limiting the number of people in dining areas, while also preparing to complete fast delivery in anticipation of increased online orders.

According to the distribution industry on the 10th, Emart has completely canceled the planned summer late-night operations starting from the 9th and will operate only until 10 p.m., one hour earlier than the previous closing time, starting from the 12th. The operation of cultural centers at each store will also be suspended.

At all store entrances, temperature checks and mask-wearing confirmations have been strengthened, and hand sanitizers and sanitary gloves have been provided. Dining areas and food courts are managing visitor lists through QR codes and other methods.

Lotte Department Store has notified tenant businesses of the principle that customers visiting dining areas or cafes after 6 p.m. until the 25th must be in groups of two or fewer. Cultural hall events within the department store are also completely prohibited.

Convenience stores are prohibiting eating and drinking inside and outside the stores. CU advises customers to refrain from gathering in groups of two or more inside the store after 6 p.m. and recommends minimizing eating and drinking to ensure the safety of store employees and customers even in areas outside the metropolitan region.

As going out or dining out becomes practically difficult, demand for purchasing groceries and daily necessities through online malls is expected to increase.

Shinsegae SSG.com reported that on the 8th, before the announcement of social distancing measures, orders for meal kits and home meal replacements (HMR) in the food category increased by 20% compared to the previous day. Orders for ramen and bottled water also rose by 16% and 10%, respectively. The order completion rate for SSG Delivery and Dawn Delivery, which usually stands at 80-85%, has exceeded 90%.

Dawn delivery company Market Kurly plans to secure inventory and thoroughly disinfect logistics centers, anticipating an increase in contactless consumption of grocery deliveries amid the resurgence of COVID-19.

GS Retail, which operates convenience store GS25 and supermarket GS The Fresh, is running a grocery delivery service called 'Udeal.' Launched last month, Udeal surpassed 100,000 cumulative orders within just 10 days of its release.

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