Starting Late Next Year, 'Unit Price Labeling System' to be Implemented in Large Online Shopping Malls

Number of Labeled Items Expanded from 84 to 114

Starting as early as November next year, the unit price labeling system will be mandatory for large online shopping malls as well. Reflecting the trend of increasing ready-to-eat food due to the rise in single-person households, the current number of items requiring unit price labeling will increase from 84 to 114.

Dongwon Yangban Perilla Oil Seaweed and Sesame Oil Seaweed displayed at Hanaro Mart Yangjae Branch in Seocho-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jin-Hyung Kang aymsdream@

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on the 3rd that it will conduct an administrative notice and collect opinions on the "Revision of Price Labeling System Enforcement Rules" by the 23rd. This revision is a follow-up measure to the "Shrinkflation Countermeasures" announced by the government last December. Shrinkflation refers to a sales method where companies keep prices the same but secretly reduce the quantity to effectively raise prices while avoiding consumer resistance.

According to the revision, the unit price labeling system, currently implemented mainly in offline large stores, will be expanded to large online shopping malls. Online shopping malls with annual transaction amounts exceeding 10 trillion won will be subject to this. However, considering the guidance period for merchants within online shopping malls and the time needed to upgrade systems, a one-year grace period will be provided.

The Ministry explained, "The expansion of the unit price labeling system aims to provide consumers with accurate price information to support rational consumption activities." The revision reflects new consumption trends such as increased purchases of ready-to-eat foods and pet-related products, expanding the number of items requiring unit price labeling from 84 to 114. Accordingly, processed foods such as instant rice, whole kimchi, nuts, and ssamjang, as well as daily necessities like laundry soap liquid, kitchen towels, hand sanitizers, body wash, lotion, wet wipes, and pet food will also be subject to unit price labeling.