On the 6th, when the application process for the 'COVID-19 Coexistence National Support Fund' began, a notice regarding the use of the support fund was posted at the Emart24 convenience store in Seongdong-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@
As the application process for the 'COVID-19 Coexistence National Support Fund' begins, interest is focused on where it can be used. Similar to last year's emergency disaster relief fund, usage locations are limited, and some places apply different criteria, making it still confusing for consumers. The main questions are organized in a Q&A format.
Q. I heard it can be used at large supermarkets.
A. It can be used at leased stores within large supermarkets. This includes hair salons, optical shops, pharmacies, hospitals, and car washes located inside large supermarkets. For Homeplus, out of about 5,800 leased stores in 138 nationwide branches, approximately 880 stores (about 15%) accept the support fund. For Lotte Mart, out of about 1,370 leased stores in 113 branches, more than 60% or about 830 stores accept the support fund.
Q. Pharmacies in large supermarkets accept it, but food courts do not?
A. If small business owners pay a certain percentage of their sales to the supermarket, the disaster relief fund cannot be used. Food courts, where multiple restaurants are gathered in one place, are a typical example. Each large supermarket posts notices and attaches signs to inform whether the stores accept the support fund.
Q. Can it be used at GS The Fresh and Nonghyup Hanaro Mart?
A. Last year, GS The Fresh and Nonghyup Hanaro Mart, which have a high proportion of agricultural and marine product sales, accepted the disaster relief fund, but due to fairness controversies, they were excluded from this year's National Support Fund usage locations. However, small-scale Hanaro Marts registered as local love gift certificate affiliated stores in the region can accept payment with the National Support Fund.
Q. Can it be used at all convenience stores?
A. It cannot be used at directly operated stores run by the headquarters. However, 99% of all convenience stores nationwide are franchises, so it can be used at most convenience stores.
Q. Is it possible to use it at food and beverage or dining franchise companies?
A. It cannot be used at directly operated stores, but it can be used at franchise stores. Support funds cannot be used at places that only operate directly managed stores like Starbucks and Coffee Bean. Most places with a high proportion of franchise stores, such as Paris Baguette, Dunkin', and Baskin Robbins, accept the fund. It can be used at about 6,500 locations nationwide. For Lotteria, out of about 1,300 stores nationwide, it can be used at about 1,200 franchise stores excluding about 10% that are directly operated.
Q. I heard it cannot be used for delivery food.
A. The support fund cannot be used when ordering through delivery applications (apps). However, if the customer visits the restaurant to take out or orders through a delivery app and then requests the delivery person’s own terminal to pay on-site, the fund can be used.
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