With some signs of re-proliferation of COVID-19, sales of quarantine products such as masks and diagnostic kits are soaring again.
In October 31st, more than 18,000 people tested positive. This is a significant increase since last week, there were only about 4200 patients who were tested positive. Therefore, the government has predicted that the number of daily confirmed cases will increase to more than 50,000 in November. This is more than twice the confirmed number now. Therefore, consumers are believed to have quickly started to purchase quarantine supplies and standing medicines. According to related industries, sales of major quarantine products such as masks, hand sanitizers, and self-inspection kits at convenience store CU from the 18th to the 24th of last month recorded double-digit growth compared to the same period last month. Hand sanitizers rose the most, while sales of self-examination kits and handwashes also rose. During the same period, safety-related drugs also increased. Sales of health-functional foods that increase immunity as well as quarantine products showed an upward trend. Sales of functional drinks containing red ginseng, lactobacillus, and vitamins rose significantly compared to the previous week.
Koreaโs convenience stores also saw a significant increase in sales of masks, self-diagnosis kits, cold medicines, and gargles. It has decided to provide labor costs for alternative workers to franchisees who are unable to operate their stores due to the confirmation of COVID-19. This is a system created by BGF Retail to help franchisees during the COVID-19 pandemic, and was scheduled to end last month, but it was decided to be extended until the end of this year. The labor cost support for alternative workers is a system that provides unlimited labor costs for alternative workers during the absence period for stores that are confirmed and self-isolated by franchisees. While self-preparing for the pandemic is important and should be appreciated, I hope another anticipated re-proliferation doesnโt cause any bulk buying that diminishes social orders, especially after seeing the Itaewon incident.
Writer: Jessy Kim
(Picture from Pinterest)
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