On Seollal, Convenience Stores Serve as Pharmacies and Banks... "Emergency Medicine Stocked and ATMs Checked"

Inside GS25 Suwon Haengridan-gil Store.

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] Major convenience stores have secured stocks of essential medicines and completed ATM inspections to replace pharmacies and banks that close during the Lunar New Year holiday period.

On the 1st, convenience stores stocked various essential medicines such as antipyretic analgesics, digestive aids, and cold medicine, and completed ATM inspections in advance. Through this, they plan to prepare to flawlessly perform their social functions as emergency relief centers that keep their lights on 365 days a year and provide urgent financial services.

In fact, at GS25, sales of safety essential medicines during last year’s Lunar New Year holiday increased by 146% compared to the same period of the previous month. At 7-Eleven, during last year’s Lunar New Year holiday, sales of antipyretic analgesics increased by 18.7%, digestive aids by 12.0%, and cold medicine by 15.1% compared to the previous year.

A convenience store industry official said, “In preparation for the Lunar New Year, we have completed stocking safety essential medicines and ATM inspections in advance, not only serving as restaurants for those spending the holiday alone but also fulfilling our social role.” He added, “We plan to flawlessly perform our social functions as a platform for emergency relief and urgent financial services in the community even during the holiday.”

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