Convenience Store Industry Minimizes Typhoon Damage Through Preemptive Measures

Damage at About 280 of Over 54,000 Locations Nationwide
Most Restored... Operating Normally

The 6th typhoon of the season, 'Khanun,' passed through the Korean Peninsula on the 10th, and fortunately, the damage to the convenience store industry was reported to be minimal. The industry credits proactive preparations for minimizing the damage.

A convenience store located in Banpo Hangang Park, Seoul, has posted a notice that it will close early due to heavy rain.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

According to the industry on the 11th, among approximately 54,000 stores nationwide operated by the four major convenience store chains (CU, GS25, 7-Eleven, and Emart24), about 280 stores were reported to have suffered damage such as flooding as of the morning of that day. By company, GS25 had the most affected stores with around 250, followed by CU with about 30 stores, and 7-Eleven with 2 stores. Emart24 reported no damaged stores.

The damages at GS25 stores included about 200 cases of rainwater leakage, around 50 power outages, and 3 partial floodings. The recovery rate as of the morning was 90%. GS Retail, which operates GS25, stated, "All damaged stores are covered by comprehensive property insurance for wind and flood damage," and added, "All costs are borne by the headquarters."

The industry evaluated that swift responses in preparation for the strong typhoon helped minimize the damage. A representative from Emart24, which experienced no damage, said, "We are still closely monitoring the situation," but analyzed, "Measures such as prior preparation and familiarization with the action manual in case of an incident were effective in preventing damage."

A CU representative also said, "Only one store was unable to operate, which we attribute to thoroughly guiding the sales organization and stores with instructions and manuals for damage response in advance based on the typhoon forecast." A 7-Eleven representative stated, "The collaboration between the facilities team and safety management team to quickly check the damage status and establish a system for restoration was crucial."

Earlier, the headquarters of each convenience store chain notified stores of weather information and disseminated safety guideline manuals to ensure awareness in response to the approaching typhoon. On-site, all products in the store entrances were removed, and emergency supplies such as flashlights were prepared to maintain normal operations in case of power outages or other damages. Some stores also secured disaster prevention equipment like water pumps in advance to prepare for flooding damage.

Meanwhile, Khanun made landfall near Geoje, Gyeongnam, around 9:20 a.m. the previous day and stayed over South Korea for about 16 hours, causing damage. The Korea Meteorological Administration reported that Khanun weakened into a tropical depression around 6 a.m. that day, located about 80 km southeast of Pyongyang, North Korea.