More than 1 in 10 Stores Use 'Gaemun Naengbang'... "Electricity Bills Could Increase by 33%"

66% More Power Consumption with Door-Open Cooling
Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy Holds Voluntary Energy Saving Meeting for Summer Retail Stores

More than one in ten stores are still operating with their doors open while running air conditioning, a practice known as 'open-door cooling.' This business behavior urgently needs to change as it can lead to a 'shockingly high electricity bill.'

On the 27th, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy held a 'Summer Retail Store Energy Saving Voluntary Practice Meeting' at Gimpo Hyundai Premium Outlet, chaired by Second Vice Minister Kang Kyung-sung, urging the retail industry to practice energy saving. The government is emphasizing energy conservation at large premium outlets and franchise stores ahead of the peak summer season.

Earlier, from the 20th to the 22nd, the Korea Energy Agency conducted a survey on the 'open-door cooling business status' targeting 26 major commercial districts nationwide and 4 large outlets. The results showed that out of a total of 5,298 stores in major commercial districts nationwide, 634 stores (12%) were operating with open-door cooling. By industry, the open-door cooling rates were highest in footwear (47%), cosmetics (36%), and clothing (28%). Particularly, franchise stores showed high open-door cooling rates in footwear (78%) and cosmetics (72%). In contrast, cafes, convenience stores, and restaurants had rates below 10%. For large retail stores such as premium outlets, 199 out of 681 tenant stores (29%) were found to be operating with open-door cooling.

The Energy Agency simulated the energy consumption of stores operating with open doors and air conditioning, finding that the electricity required for cooling increased by approximately 66% compared to cooling with doors closed. Consequently, the total electricity bill, including cooling costs, could increase by about 33%, potentially resulting in a 'cooling cost shock.'

Vice Minister Kang said, "Since electricity bills can increase significantly with open-door cooling, it is necessary for tenant stores in large retail outlets to take the lead in energy saving by closing doors while cooling." He added, "We plan to actively prepare support measures such as distributing 'Energy Sense Store' stickers to promote stores that voluntarily practice energy saving to consumers."

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