Splash-blocking masks 'sold out'... Large marts release tens of millions of dental masks

[Asia Economy Reporter Seungjin Lee] As the heatwave exceeding 30℃ begins, consumers looking for thinner masks than public masks have rapidly increased. The thin splash-proof masks, which are easier to breathe through than public masks, sold out the prepared quantity of 200,000 units on the first day of sales in an instant. In response, large retailers and distributors have prepared tens of millions of dental masks (surgical masks) to prevent a mask shortage crisis.

According to the industry on the 6th, Emart's warehouse-style store Traders will start selling a box of 50 disposable masks (large/small) for 15,980 won. These are three-layer disposable masks with MB filters, priced at 320 won per mask. They will be sold at 18 Traders stores nationwide, with 700 to 1,000 boxes supplied daily to each store. The purchase quantity is limited to one box (50 masks) per person.

Traders prepared disposable masks to reduce the cost burden of mask purchases for consumers. This reflects the recent increase in customers seeking disposable masks over KF protective masks, which are harder to breathe through due to the hot weather. Approximately 20 million masks in total will be supplied, with 700 to 1,000 boxes newly stocked daily at each store.

GS Retail-operated convenience store GS25, supermarket GS The Fresh, and health & beauty store Lalavla will sell three types of disposable dental masks in a one-plus-one (1+1) promotion starting from the 6th. The promotional products are five-piece packs of three-layer disposable dental masks, available in white, blue, and black.

GS Retail will also add two types of dental masks for children in response to the start of kindergarten and elementary school reopening. GS Retail plans to continue the promotion until the COVID-19 situation stabilizes.

Lotte Mart, considering the increased demand for breathable disposable masks due to the early heatwave, will sell a total of 2 million domestically produced masks over two days at 580 won per mask. However, the purchase limit per person varies by store.

Meanwhile, the 200,000 splash-proof masks first sold by mask manufacturer Wellkips on its own online mall starting at 9 a.m. on the 5th are now completely sold out. These masks are the first in Korea to be certified for breathability and splash (droplet) blocking effect, and due to the relatively low price of 500 won per mask, consumers flocked rapidly, with simultaneous users reaching 8 million at one point, causing the server to be down for an extended period.

In particular, with the recent reopening of elementary, middle, and high schools, there was high demand from parents wanting to purchase thin masks for their children who find wearing masks indoors for long periods uncomfortable. Wellkips plans to sell about 200,000 splash-proof masks, the same quantity as on the 5th, at 9 a.m. on the 8th after reorganizing over the weekend.