Daily Life Changed by Heatwave... Now, Sunshades Are a 'Must-Have' Item

Umbrella Sales Surge 158%
Perceived Temperature Drops Up to 7°C
High-Functionality and WooYangSan Umbrellas Sold

Office worker Kim Hyun-mo (34) recently purchased a parasol from an online mall. As heatwaves have become a daily occurrence, more people are carrying parasols on the streets. Kim said, “It seems that many men are using them these days, so I bought a black one,” adding, “Blocking the sunlight is quite effective.”

This year’s 'record-breaking' heatwaves have changed the scenery on the streets. Parasols, once considered exclusively for women, have become common, and sunscreen has become a necessity rather than an option.

According to Gmarket on the 19th, parasol sales from the 1st to the 15th of this month surged 158% compared to the same period last year. By age group, sales among people in their 20s and 30s increased by 101%, and those in their 40s and 50s rose by 169%, showing strong sales even among younger consumers. Parasols block sunlight, lowering the perceived temperature by up to 7 degrees Celsius, and their UV protection also helps prevent skin diseases and hair loss.

As parasols gain popularity, various products are flooding the market. These include high-performance parasols that block up to 99% of UV rays and umbrella-parasol hybrids that serve both functions for unpredictable weather with sudden rain under clear skies. Previously, in Japan, the use of parasols among men spread widely during the severe heatwave in 2018.

Demand for sunscreen has also surged regardless of age or gender due to the intense sunlight. According to Olive Young, sunscreen sales from the 1st to the 15th of this month increased by 30% compared to the same period last year. Notably, purchases by male customers nearly doubled. By age group, purchases by customers in their 40s and 50s increased by 90% and 80%, respectively, showing high growth rates. Choi Jin-hyuk (35) said, “I used to only apply sunscreen when exercising outdoors,” adding, “These days, my skin feels like it will burn quickly, so even if it’s bothersome, I apply it every day.”

Citizens wearing sun hats are walking in front of Yongsan Station in Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Professor Lee Eun-hee of Inha University’s Department of Consumer Studies said, “As heatwaves become a daily reality, consumption for UV protection such as parasols and sunscreen is increasing,” and predicted, “The culture of using parasols is likely to expand in the future.”

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