Lowering Shopping Basket Burden with Oysters and Pickled Napa Cabbage... Discount Events in the Mart Industry

To Reduce High Price Burden, Additional Source Securing and Pre-Contracts Underway

Fresh oysters from the South Sea sold at E-Mart. (Photo by E-Mart)

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jinyoung] The mart industry is launching discount events to supply popular items such as oysters and salted napa cabbage at affordable prices. The industry is exploring various avenues by securing additional production areas and increasing supply compared to last year in response to reduced production and rising prices.

According to the industry on the 15th, Emart has secured 60 tons of fresh oysters, a winter seasonal delicacy, and will sell them at half price until the 19th. Fresh oysters from the southern coast can be purchased for 4,990 won when using Shinsegae points accumulation and discount cards.

The 60 tons of fresh oysters represent the largest weekly sales volume in Emart's history. Considering that the usual weekly sales volume is about 20 tons when the fresh oyster season starts in mid-October, this means they have prepared three times the usual amount.

Emart secured the supply by diversifying production areas from Tongyeong, where they mainly purchased before, to Goseong, Geoje, and Sacheon, anticipating a decrease in oyster production due to Typhoon Hinnamnor, the 11th typhoon this year. This is because heavy rain absorbed into the sea caused the formation of “hypoxic water masses,” which suffocate farmed oysters.

Various tests are also conducted to ensure safe consumption of fresh oysters. Norovirus and E. coli tests are performed four times a month each, and seawater around the oyster processing plants will be tested once a month.

Lotte Mart is also holding a consumption promotion event for silver hairtail fish to support Jeju fishermen and contribute to price stabilization until the 19th. In cooperation with the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, they are selling 250,000 silver hairtail fish at more than 40% discount, including an additional 20% off the Fisheries Grand Sale. Jeju silver hairtail (3 fish) can be purchased for 8,910 won by L.Point members using event card payments.

Lotte Mart planned the event considering the prolonged price increase and sluggish consumption, which has led to frozen hairtail fish from Jeju not selling well, aiming for mutual benefit between fishermen and consumers.

Homeplus is starting pre-orders for salted napa cabbage and young radishes ahead of the kimchi-making season. Orders can be placed at each store’s customer service center and Homeplus online until the 23rd of next month, with products delivered sequentially from the 9th of next month to December 16th.

Additionally, during the first week of the event until the 19th, Homeplus is offering a 20% discount to My Homeplus membership holders in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Domestic salted napa cabbage (5kg, 10kg, 20kg) is sold at 15,920 won, 22,320 won, and 31,920 won respectively, and domestic salted young radish (5kg) is offered at a special price of 31,900 won.

Homeplus prepared 60,000 boxes of salted napa cabbage, a 20% increase compared to the same period last year. Despite rising cabbage prices, they secured supply and lowered prices compared to market rates through additional production area procurement and prior planning.