Self-Diagnosis Kits Sold Out at Convenience Stores... The Second Mask Nightmare

Government Kits Said to Be Sufficient... Temporary Out of Stock and Price Increase
Sales Surge After 10,000 Confirmed Cases... Delivery Sales Increase 23 Times

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] "Did anyone purchase a self-diagnosis kit today or know where to buy one? They say you can get it for free at screening clinics, but there are too many people. They told me to do it before my child goes to kindergarten, but since both of us work, it’s really necessary."

Recently, as COVID-19 confirmed cases have surged and the testing system has shifted to focus on self-diagnosis tests, there has been a shortage of self-diagnosis kits in the distribution market. It has become difficult to find self-diagnosis kits at offline stores immediately, and prices are rising due to temporary out-of-stock situations in online malls, raising concerns about a second mask crisis.

On the 4th, I visited 10 convenience stores near Chungmuro Station in Jung-gu, Seoul, but could not find a single self-diagnosis kit. Each convenience store responded with answers like "They are all sold out now," "No stock," or "We might be able to order more only by tomorrow." Although the government claims there is no problem with the supply of self-diagnosis kits, supply channels both online and offline are unable to keep up with demand, causing out-of-stock situations. At nationwide screening clinics, people who are not priority test subjects such as those under 60 years old receive rapid antigen tests using self-diagnosis kits instead of the existing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests. However, as people flock to these places rapidly, it is analyzed that more individuals are purchasing self-diagnosis kits themselves due to anxiety.

Major convenience stores have seen a sharp increase in self-diagnosis kit sales since the 26th of last month, when the number of new COVID-19 cases surpassed 10,000. At CU, sales of self-diagnosis kits increased 12-fold from the 26th of last month to the 2nd of this month compared to the previous month. During the same period, GS25 saw a 12-fold increase, and 7-Eleven saw a 9-fold increase. Demand for contactless purchases using delivery services for self-diagnosis kits has also risen. At CU, delivery sales increased 13-fold, and at GS25, 23-fold.

Currently, some convenience stores have stopped receiving shipments due to the explosive demand for self-diagnosis kits and have started controlling the quantity sent to stores by limiting daily order volumes. A convenience store industry official explained, "Since these products have expiration dates, companies probably could not produce and stockpile them in advance. But suddenly, demand surged, causing a shortage like with masks. It seems that the currently produced quantities are being supplied to the government first."

Temporary out-of-stock and price increases are also occurring in online shopping malls. Initially, there was not much demand for self-diagnosis kits on open markets, leading to fierce discount competition. However, as the self-diagnosis kit buying frenzy occurred, prices that had dropped to the 3,000 won range earlier this year have risen back to the 10,000 won range. An open market official stated, "Most of the products listed by sellers are understood to be sold out," and added, "Prices are rising as government policies change."

On internet communities and elsewhere, sharing of self-diagnosis kit sales locations is frequent, and transactions between individuals are even taking place. Mr. A lamented, "I should have bought self-diagnosis kits in advance. I looked around but couldn’t find any," and asked, "If anyone has extras, would you sell them?" Mr. B said, "I bought some in advance this morning," and added, "If you’re in a hurry now, I can sell you one."

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