Major Nationwide Marts Resume Sampling on the 25th 'Vibrant'
New Products and Fruits from Leading Food Companies... Ramen Also Starting This Week
Cosmetics Testing Eased but Guidelines Vary by Local Governments
Different Standards for Department Stores and Brands, Check Before Visiting
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Yuri] The tasting corners, which had been halted due to COVID-19, reopened on the 25th, bringing a rare burst of activity to large supermarkets. The use of cosmetic samples (testers) has also been relaxed, but detailed guidelines vary by local governments, causing ongoing consumer confusion.
According to the industry on the 26th, major large supermarkets nationwide began operating tasting corners from the previous day. Following the government's voluntary compliance measures, they are conducting tastings while maintaining a 3-meter distance between tasting and drinking areas, keeping at least 1 meter distance from others during tasting, allowing tasting only in front of the tasting counters, and wearing masks before and after tasting. With tastings now available at all stores including 138 E-mart locations, 135 Homeplus stores, and 112 Lotte Mart outlets nationwide, large food companies like CJ CheilJedang started operating tasting corners immediately. Some fruits within large supermarkets are also available for sampling. Major ramen brands plan to resume tastings within this week. A large supermarket official said, "By this weekend, we expect to see lively tasting scenes similar to those before COVID-19."
Large supermarkets expect that the resumption of tastings will positively impact store sales. Tastings have been an effective method for selling new products unfamiliar to consumers, and as the rapid changes in shopping patterns accelerated by COVID-19 continue, experiential elements like tastings are essential for offline large supermarkets to survive.
However, regarding the relaxed use of cosmetic testers on the same day, government and local government guidelines differ, resulting in different standards applied by channels such as department stores and by cosmetic brands, inevitably causing consumer confusion. Currently, major channels and brands have established standards by comprehensively applying interpretations from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and guidelines from the local governments where each channel and brand is located.
Accordingly, at Shinsegae Department Store Gangnam Branch in Seocho-gu, Seoul, and Hyundai Department Store Apgujeong Main Branch and Trade Center Branch in Gangnam-gu, briefly removing masks to test cosmetics like lipstick is allowed, while at Lotte Department Store Jamsil Branch in Songpa-gu, eye makeup testing is possible while wearing a mask. At Lotte Department Store Main Branch in Jung-gu, face testing is currently not permitted. Brands within department stores may also apply stricter standards. CJ Olive Young also allows testing on remaining facial areas while wearing a mask due to the recent easing of distancing measures. A department store official explained, "There is a time lag in the easing guidelines among local governments during the lifting of various COVID-19 restrictions. If brands interpret the guidelines more conservatively, standards may differ even within the same department store."
The industry expects confusion to continue until the indoor mask-wearing mandate is lifted. A distribution industry official said, "Since COVID-19 and the resulting social distancing measures are unprecedented, there is confusion across industries about which standards to follow during the easing process. As we gradually return to normal life, once indoor mask-wearing is also relaxed, a full return to normalcy will be achieved."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
