Regulation Eased After 10 Years... Large Mart Online Delivery Allowed on Closed Days

Agreement for Win-Win Development of Large, Medium, and Small Distribution

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-seop] In the future, consumers will be able to use online delivery services even during large mart business restriction hours or mandatory closure days.

On the 28th, the government and retail industry organizations signed the "Agreement for Win-Win Development of Large and Small-Medium Retail" at the Government Seoul Office. Attendees at the signing ceremony included Lee Jung-won, Deputy Minister of the Office for Government Policy Coordination; Jang Young-jin, 1st Vice Minister of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy; Cho Joo-hyun, Vice Minister of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups; Jung Dong-sik, President of the National Merchants Federation; and Song Yoo-kyung, President of the Korea Supermarket Cooperative Federation.

According to the agreement, large marts and small-medium retail sectors will cooperate to strengthen capabilities and rationalize regulations in response to changes in the distribution environment such as online and digitalization. Large marts will jointly strive to enable online delivery even during business restriction hours and mandatory closure days. The issue of designating mandatory closure days will continue to be discussed to grant autonomy to local governments (special self-governing mayors, mayors, county governors, district heads).

The large mart business restriction regulation was introduced in 2012 to promote win-win development between large marts and small-medium retail. According to the Distribution Industry Development Act, heads of basic local governments can restrict business hours of large marts or quasi-large stores within the range of 0 to 10 a.m. or order two mandatory closure days per month. During this period, online delivery is also not allowed. However, there has been much criticism that this regulation is outdated in the distribution environment, which is shifting mainly to online.

Additionally, large marts will support manpower and education to promote digitalization for strengthening the capabilities of small-medium retail. They also plan to comprehensively support improvements in logistics systems, market expansion, marketing and promotion, and facility and equipment upgrades. Each organization will form a regular consultative body to promptly and smoothly implement the contents of this win-win agreement and to specify win-win measures.

Regarding the situation where mart workers oppose the relaxation of business hour restriction regulations on the grounds that it harms workers' health rights, it was clearly stated that "this is not a matter for discussion under the current plan." Deputy Minister Lee Jung-won explained, "Workers' right to rest must be guaranteed" and "It will be carried out according to labor standards and related laws." He added, "There is basic consensus on guaranteeing the right to rest, and specific matters are expected to be handled through contracts between large marts and workers."

Deputy Minister Lee said, "This win-win agreement is a valuable first step taken for the win-win development of large marts and small-medium retail 10 years after the introduction of business regulations," and added, "I hope this agreement will serve as an opportunity for large and small-medium retail industries to join hands and prepare for the future together."

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