[Report] "People buy several bags because apples are cheap"... Nonghyup Distribution, up to 49% discount event

Ongoing Until November 1
25 Agricultural, Livestock, and Marine Products
Advance Reservation Sale of Salted Napa Cabbage Also Available

"I’ve been too scared to buy apples lately, so I haven’t eaten them for quite some time. I heard they’re selling them at a discount today, so I came to check it out."

On the afternoon of the 19th, Nonghyup Hanaro Mart Yangjae branch in Seocho-gu, Seoul, was filled with people lingering near the discount event corner, pushing their carts. A mother and daughter who came shopping together repeatedly said, "Wow, it’s cheap," as they looked at the price tags in front of the potato discount section. After a period of high prices that left customers’ shopping baskets empty, agricultural and livestock products such as potatoes, onions, and Shine Muscat grapes were finally being stocked economically. A sales staff member at the apple section said, "Among the discounted fruits, apples are definitely getting the best response," adding, "This year’s harvest was poor, causing prices to skyrocket, but since we are selling them about 20% cheaper than the normal price this time, many customers are buying in bulk, like five bags at a time."

On the 19th, customers are browsing the apple section at Nonghyup Hanaro Mart Yangjae branch.
[Photo by Lee Seohee]

Nonghyup Distribution has rolled up its sleeves to stabilize consumer prices in this era of high inflation. Until November 1, they are holding the 'A Tasty Autumn, Bigger Sale, Enjoy at Hanaro' event to celebrate the 2nd anniversary of Nonghyup Distribution’s integration, offering agricultural, livestock, and seafood products at discounts of up to 49%. The event includes a total of 25 items: 12 agricultural products, 8 livestock products, and 5 seafood products. Dried pollack strips (450g, Russia) have the highest discount at 49%, followed by potatoes (900g, domestic) at 49.3%, onions (3kg, domestic) at 42.6%, Shine Muscat grapes (1.5kg, domestic) at 38.0%, and fresh webfoot octopus (5kg, domestic) at 36.2%, all sold at reduced prices. There is also a raffle event called 'Get Your Kimchi-Making Support Fund' that provides up to 200,000 KRW in Rural Love gift certificates, along with giveaways.

On the 19th, customers are browsing the direct sales event corner for matsutake and Neungi mushrooms at Nonghyup Hanaro Mart Yangjae branch.
[Photo by Lee Seohee]

Another popular corner bustling with customers that day was the 'Pre-Order for Salted Napa Cabbage' registration desk. About ten consultation chairs were set up, and the area was packed with women in their 50s and 60s who came early to purchase salted napa cabbage for the kimchi-making season. Customers were filling out registration forms with purchase quantities and desired pick-up dates under the guidance of consultants, while a long line of customers waited behind them. Nonghyup Distribution plans to sell about 5 tons of salted napa cabbage, equivalent to roughly 100 cargo trucks, through pre-orders over 14 days until November 1. Pre-order customers can pick up their products on their chosen dates starting November 9.

A woman in her 50s said, "Last year, I bought salted napa cabbage from Nonghyup for the first time to make kimchi, and it was really convenient compared to salting it myself with salt. Although the price seems a bit higher than last year, the cabbages are plump and the quality is trustworthy, so I plan to buy from Nonghyup again this year."

Nonghyup Distribution plans to continue offering discount events to stabilize consumer prices. A Nonghyup Distribution official said, "This event was organized to ease the consumer burden, which has multiplied due to high inflation coinciding with the kimchi-making season. We will continue to hold discount events so that consumers can purchase a variety of items at reasonable prices."