76% of Consumers Say "Regulations on Mandatory Closure of Large Mart Should Be Abolished or Relaxed"

"Minimal Effect of Mandatory Closure Days on Revitalizing Traditional Markets"
Overwhelming Support for Allowing Online Transactions on Closure and Late-Night Hours

Regarding the mandatory closure regulations for large supermarkets, it was found that three out of four consumers believe these regulations should be abolished or eased.

On the 21st, according to the results of the "Consumer Awareness Survey on Distribution Regulations" conducted by the Korea Economic Association (HanKyungHyup) through the market research firm MonoResearch, targeting 1,000 adult men and women nationwide, 76.4% of all respondents answered that the regulations mandating closure of large supermarkets on public holidays should be abolished or eased. Among them, the highest proportion, 33%, wanted mandatory weekday closures for large supermarkets, while 32.2% advocated for the abolition of the mandatory closure system.

The reasons given for supporting the abolition or easing of regulations included protecting consumer benefits (52.3%), preventing damage to small business tenants (20.5%), the minimal protective effect of mandatory public holiday closures on traditional markets (18.0%), and revitalizing commercial areas around supermarkets (9.2%).

A ramen display at a large supermarket
[Image source=Yonhap News]

HanKyungHyup stated, "Considering that only one out of ten consumers visits traditional markets on mandatory closure days for large supermarkets, the protective effect of mandatory closure regulations on traditional markets is estimated to be insignificant."

In fact, when asked which distribution channels they use on mandatory closure days for large supermarkets, 46.1% of respondents said supermarkets or food material marts, the highest proportion. This was followed by revisiting large supermarkets on business days (17.1%), online transactions (15.1%), traditional markets (11.5%), and convenience stores (10.2%).

Additionally, the approval rate for allowing online transactions during mandatory closure days and nighttime sales ban hours for large supermarkets was overwhelmingly high at 78.9% (40.7% strongly approve, 38.2% approve).

Lee Sang-ho, Head of the Economic and Industrial Division at HanKyungHyup, emphasized, "Restrictions on the operation and opening of large stores infringe on consumer rights, cause damage to suppliers and agricultural and fishery product distribution companies, while the effect on revitalizing traditional markets is not clear," adding, "Domestic distribution policies should be readjusted to focus on consumer benefits rather than regulations."

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