Citizens Shocked by Martial Law... Convenience Store Essentials Prices Soar Up to 4 Times

The sudden declaration of martial law also affected the distribution sector. Immediately after the martial law was declared, sales of daily necessities such as ramen and bottled water surged.

According to the distribution industry on the 4th, right after President Yoon Seok-yeol declared emergency martial law around 10 p.m. the previous day, demand for daily necessities temporarily surged, especially in the convenience store sector.

A convenience store in Seoul city. Photo and article content are unrelated. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung

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In fact, an analysis of sales at convenience store chain A nationwide from 11 p.m. on the 3rd to midnight the next day showed that canned goods sales increased more than fourfold (337.3%) compared to the same time slot on the same day of the previous week. Other items also recorded sales growth rates of ▲bagged noodles 253.8% ▲bottled water 141% ▲instant rice 128.6% ▲batteries 40.6% ▲over-the-counter medicines 39.5%.

During the same time period, other convenience store chains also experienced hoarding of daily necessities. Convenience store B saw canned goods sales increase by 75.9% compared to the same day and time the previous week, along with sales growth of ▲instant rice 38.2% ▲bottled water 37.4% ▲ramen 28.1% ▲batteries 25.7%. Convenience store C also recorded sales increases of ▲instant rice 70% ▲ramen 50% ▲bottled water 40%.

This sales surge appears to have been driven by middle-aged and older customers who actually experienced martial law during the military regime. A representative from the convenience store industry said, "Purchases of daily necessities temporarily increased mainly at convenience stores in residential areas," adding, "According to on-site staff and store workers, demand was high among customers in their 50s and 60s."

In the e-commerce sector as well, orders for daily necessities increased. Not only convenience stores but also a domestic e-commerce platform supporting early morning delivery reportedly saw an increase in purchases of daily necessities following the declaration of martial law.

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