Due to COVID-19 and high inflation... As the number of homecationers increases, sales of stay-at-home products have risen

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jinyoung] Park, a worker in his 20s, decided to spend this summer vacation at home. Both domestic and overseas travel costs are considerable, and with the resurgence of COVID-19, he chose to go on a 'home-cation.' Instead, he bought a Nintendo as a gift to himself to enjoy the vacation and purchased a Bluetooth karaoke microphone and mirror ball to enjoy a 'home karaoke.' Park said, "I thought about how to spend a comfortable but fun summer vacation at home, so I decided to decorate my house like a karaoke room and PC bang during the vacation period," adding, "I plan to invite only family and close friends to enjoy games and such."

Due to the resurgence of COVID-19 and high inflation, the number of 'home-cationers' spending this summer vacation at home has increased. Accordingly, sales of related products that allow spending time at home, such as home theaters, have also increased in e-commerce and marts.

According to Hi-Mart on the 10th, sales of 'stay-at-home' products such as Nintendo, PlayStation consoles, and beam projectors in July increased by 90% and 25%, respectively, compared to the same period last year. Bluetooth speaker sales at Electron Land also grew by 62% compared to the same period last year.

The same trend was seen in e-commerce. On 11st, sales of audio devices such as karaoke Bluetooth microphones increased by 12% in July compared to the same period last year; home theaters increased by 116%, and meal kits and cooking boxes that make cooking at home enjoyable rose by 15% during the same period. Wemakeprice also showed a significant increase during the same period, with game consoles up 353%, home theaters and soundbars up 147%, and board games and folk games up 1139%. On Gmarket, karaoke devices grew by 50%, karaoke lighting and mirror balls by 40%, board games and puzzles by 130%, woodworking crafts by 100%, and bead crafts by 50%. Baby and children's products such as ball tents, play tents, and home pools increased by 25% and 21%, respectively.

This appears to be because the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic has established a 'stay-at-home' consumption habit. Instead of using public places like karaoke rooms and PC bangs, demand for spending leisure time safely and comfortably at home has increased. The rise in sales of meal kits and cooking boxes was also influenced by increased home-cooked meal demand instead of dining out due to COVID-19.

An industry insider said, "With the rise in vacation prices and the rainy season overlapping in summer, the number of home-cationers has increased, boosting sales of home appliances and home activity-related products," adding, "Since the spread of COVID-19 cannot be ignored, promotions targeting both vacationers and home-cationers will continue steadily."