"Thought COVID-19 Was Over"... Convenience Stores See Self-Test Kits Fly Off the Shelves

Sales Surge Last Week Due to Continued 'Deobulling' Phenomenon
Increased Sales of Quarantine Supplies and Household Medicines

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] Office worker Mr. Lee purchased a self-test kit at a convenience store on his way home from work. His condition had not been good after attending a company dinner on a weekday and hiking over the weekend. He said, "Fortunately, this time the result was negative. I thought COVID-19 was all over, but it seems I need to be careful," adding, "Since the social distancing measures were lifted, I have had many appointments, but now I wonder if I should cancel them all."

As COVID-19 cases have recently surged, sales of self-test kits have also rapidly increased in the distribution industry. The ‘doubling’ phenomenon, where the number of confirmed cases doubles every week, has heightened anxiety about COVID-19 infection.

According to CU on the 19th, sales of self-test kits from the 11th to the 17th of this month increased by 228.3% compared to the same period last month. During the same period, GS25 saw a 234.6% increase in self-test kit sales, 7-Eleven saw a 250% increase, and Emart24 saw a 101% increase.

Currently, CU sells self-test kits at 5,000 stores, GS25 at 9,000 stores, 7-Eleven at 6,700 stores, and Emart24 at 1,200 stores. Since May, following government policy, convenience stores without medical device sales permits are no longer allowed to handle these products. Each company sells products from SD Biosensor, Humasis, and Rapigen, with prices ranging from 5,000 to 6,000 won.

Many people have also been purchasing self-test kits from major online malls. On Gmarket, sales of self-test kits increased by 810% compared to the previous month, and on 11st, sales rose by 583%. Due to the high demand for self-test kits, prices on open markets have been gradually rising. According to 11st, the price of SD Biosensor kits slightly increased from 3,000?4,000 won last month to 4,000?5,000 won this month.

Sales of quarantine supplies for personal hygiene have also increased. At CU, mask sales rose by 8.8%, at GS25 by 34.9%, and at 7-Eleven by 20%. For hand sanitizers, sales surged by 15.9% at CU and 80.3% at GS25. Sales of household medicines to prepare for COVID-19 infection also increased. At CU, sales of cold medicine and Tylenol rose by 30.6%. At GS25, cold medicine sales increased by 57.4%, and Tylenol by 65.2%. At 7-Eleven, sales of household medicines increased by 30%, and at Emart24, cold medicine sales rose by 21%.

A convenience store industry official said, "Sales of self-test kits had been gradually increasing due to the COVID-19 resurgence, but sales surged sharply as new confirmed cases exceeded 30,000," adding, "We plan to secure sufficient inventory and increase the number of stores selling these kits."