Convenience Stores and Open Markets Alike... Shipping Fees Are Rising One After Another

First Impressions Since Emart24 Launch
Basic Unit Price Rises Amid Surge in Volume

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[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] As major courier companies raise their delivery fees starting January next year, convenience store courier fees are also increasing one after another. With the basic courier fees applied to internet open markets expected to rise from next year, consumers are likely to face a direct increase in price burdens.

◆ Emart24 also raises courier fees = On the 22nd, Emart24 announced that it will increase its courier fee from 3,500 won to 3,800 won starting January next year. This is the first courier fee increase since Emart24 launched in July 2017. An Emart24 official explained, "The price increase was made at the request of the courier company." Currently, Emart24 operates courier services together with Hanjin Courier. Among convenience store couriers, Emart24 was the first to charge a flat rate of 3,500 won for boxes weighing less than 20 kg and with the sum of three sides under 160 cm, but from next month, the fee will increase by 300 won. Additionally, as before, there will be an extra surcharge of 3,000 won for Jeju Island and 5,000 won for island areas.

CU and GS25 raised their courier fees in June. This reflects the increase in courier fees by CJ Logistics, which contracts with the two companies, in April. CJ Logistics plans to raise courier fees for corporate customers by 50 to 1,000 won starting next year, signaling further increases in courier charges for the two companies. Seven Eleven is the only convenience store that has not raised its courier fees. Seven Eleven’s basic courier fee remains at 3,500 won with no plans for an increase yet.

◆ Increased logistics costs → Price inflation = The increase in courier fees is due to the rapid growth in courier volume caused by COVID-19. According to the "Transportation, Logistics, and Aviation Outlook 2022" published by the Korea Transport Institute, courier volume is expected to increase by 18.3% next year compared to this year. As next-day delivery spreads, courier companies are making large-scale investments to introduce automation systems, increasing cost burdens. Additionally, rising international logistics costs such as maritime and air freight, as well as logistics costs for interregional road and rail transport, are also causes of the courier fee increase.

Just as most restaurants raised food prices when basic delivery fees increased, the rise in courier fees is expected to be passed on to consumers. Currently, online open markets charge an average courier fee of 3,000 won per transaction, but this will increase to 3,500 won in the new year. When free shipping is offered for purchases above a certain amount, logistics costs will be partially reflected in product prices, leading to an overall price increase for manufactured goods. A retail industry official said, "In the case of online malls, the burden from the increase in courier fees is inevitable," adding, "It will affect product pricing."

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