Didim, Weekend Sales Up 60%... Dining Industry Benefits from Reopening

by Kwon Jaehee

Published 26 Apr.2022 15:38(KST)

Didim, Weekend Sales Up 60%... Dining Industry Benefits from Reopening

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] As social distancing measures have been lifted, dining businesses are experiencing significant benefits from the full-scale reopening (Re-Opening), with sales figures showing substantial increases.

Didim, which owns over 16 dining brands including Yeonan Sikdang and Mapo Galmaegi, announced on the 26th that its sales surged significantly over the past weekend.

According to Didim, sales at directly operated stores over the weekend (23rd-24th) reached approximately 389 million KRW. This represents an increase of more than 60% compared to weekend sales in March. During the first weekend of March, Didim’s directly operated stores recorded sales of only about 242 million KRW.

Weekend sales at Didim’s directly operated stores have steadily increased since the first week of March. Sales surpassed 200 million KRW in the first week of March and nearly reached 300 million KRW by the last weekend of March. Entering April, weekend sales over two days stabilized above 300 million KRW and grew significantly to nearly 400 million KRW. Weekday sales also increased, with daily sales exceeding 100 million KRW for the first time on March 1st, and in April, there were seven days with daily sales over 100 million KRW, indicating a sustained upward stabilization in sales.

Didim stated, "Recent sales at directly operated stores confirm that the lifting of social distancing is a key factor driving the rebound in dining industry performance. On April 22nd, the first Friday after the full lifting of social distancing, weekday sales at directly operated stores exceeded 120 million KRW. If this trend continues, a return to annual sales in the 100 billion KRW range is expected."

Meanwhile, as of midnight on April 25th, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases was approximately 34,000, showing a significant decline in infection and spread. Along with the full lifting of social distancing measures and the upcoming Family Month in May, dining demand is expected to increase, raising hopes for Didim’s performance recovery. Didim’s sales in the first year of COVID-19 were 80.9 billion KRW, a decrease of about 35%. Sales dropped further to 66.6 billion KRW in the second year of the pandemic, but prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, Didim’s annual sales in 2019 reached 125.3 billion KRW.