"Seol Without Return Home" Offline Retail Industry Store Closures Examined

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[Asia Economy Reporter Yuri Kim] In response to the 'contactless Seol' holiday, the distribution industry is preparing to attract 'same-day visitors' during the holiday period. While thoroughly implementing safety measures to ensure a safe Seol holiday, they plan to strengthen contactless services. From the consumer's perspective, it is necessary to check the closing days in advance to avoid wasted trips to department stores and large marts on their off days.

According to the industry on the 11th, complex shopping malls such as Starfield and Lotte Mall will operate normally without closing during this Seol holiday period. Both Starfield and Starfield City, operated by Shinsegae Property, will remain open throughout the Seol holiday. Lotte Shopping Mall will also operate Jamsil Lotte World Mall and Lotte Mall without closing during the Seol holiday period.

However, they have strengthened contactless services for safe shopping. In the case of Shinsegae Property, the smart order service 'Sseuk Order,' which allows ordering and payment via mobile in one go, has been expanded to all Starfield and Starfield City stores (except COEX Mall). Sseuk Order is a service that lets customers order food from famous restaurants within Starfield without waiting in line by using a QR code or the SSG Pay application.

Outlets from Lotte·Shinsegae· Hyundai all close only on Seol day (the 12th). Department stores have different closing schedules depending on the store, so it is necessary to check before visiting, but generally, they close for two days including Seol day.Lotte Department Store closes 28 out of 31 stores nationwide on the day before and the day of Seol, the 11th and 12th. Bundang, Centum City, and Masan stores close on Seol day and the following day, the 12th and 13th. Shinsegae Department Store closes 11 stores nationwide on the 11th and 12th. Hanam store closes only on Seol day, the 12th.

Hyundai Department Store closes 9 stores (Trade Center, Cheonho, Mokdong, Jungdong, Kintex, Pangyo, Daegu, Ulsan, Chungcheong) on the 11th and 12th, and 6 stores (Apgujeong Main, Sinchon, Mia, D-Cube City, Busan, Ulsan Dong-gu) on the 12th and 13th. Galleria's Timeworld· Gwanggyo · Center City · Jinju stores close on the 11th and 12th, while the Luxury Hall and Gourmet 494 Hannam close on the 12th and 13th.

Large marts also have different schedules depending on the store, so it is necessary to check before visiting, but most close on the last day of the Seol holiday (the 14th), which coincides with the mandatory closing day. Emart Hanam·Ilsan's 45 stores close on Seol day (the 12th) but open on the 14th. Emart Ulsan·Gimpo Hangang·Gangneung·Osan·Sangju stores and Traders Gimpo store operate normally during the holiday period. Homeplus also closes 103 stores nationwide on the 14th. However, 24 stores including Kintex and Goyang Terminal close on Seol day (the 12th). Lotte Mart closes 83 stores nationwide on the 14th and 28 stores on Seol day. Four stores including Gimpo Hangang and Osan operate normally during the Seol holiday.

An industry official said, "To accommodate customers who find it difficult to visit their hometowns, we plan to create a safe and enjoyable shopping environment through thorough quarantine and contactless services during the holiday season."

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