Fair Trade Commission Distribution Sector Survey
Kang Ki-jung, Chairman of the Fair Trade Commission, is giving a special lecture at the regular general meeting of the Seoul Chamber of Commerce and Industry held on the 29th at the International Conference Hall of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@
The proportion of suppliers who feel that the 'gapjil' transaction practices in the large-scale distribution sector have improved has hit the lowest point in seven years. In online shopping malls, positive responses decreased by more than 10 percentage points within a year.
On the 1st, the Fair Trade Commission announced the results of the '2024 Distribution Sector Transaction Practices Written Survey.' This survey selected 42 major large-scale distribution brands and targeted 7,600 suppliers trading with them.
According to the survey, the percentage of companies responding that transaction practices in the distribution sector have improved was 85.5%, down 5.2 percentage points from last year (90.7%). This is the lowest figure in seven years since 2017, when it was 84.1%.
By business type, convenience stores showed the highest improvement response rate at 93.6%, followed by large supermarkets and SSMs (91.0%), and T-commerce (91.0%). In contrast, online shopping malls recorded the lowest improvement response rate at 69.3%. Compared to last year's 80.6%, this is a decrease of more than 10 percentage points in one year.
The experience rate of unfair practices also increased compared to last year in most types of misconduct. The proportion experiencing delayed payment increased in both special contract purchases (3.7% → 8.3%) and direct purchases (0.8% → 6.3%).
Unjust reduction of payments rose from 2.7% to 5.2%, unfair transfer of promotional costs increased from 3.4% to 7.6%, and unfair exclusive trading demands that hinder transactions with other businesses rose from 1.8% to 4.1%.
The usage rate of standard contracts in distribution transactions was 97.4%, slightly down from 98.4% last year. By business type, TV home shopping had the highest standard contract usage rate at 99.5%, while outlets and complex malls were relatively low at 96.2%.
The Fair Trade Commission stated, "We plan to focus policy capabilities on improving transaction practices in sectors where unfair practices frequently occur." It added, "In particular, we will strengthen monitoring of major violations occurring in online shopping malls and specialty stores and seek institutional improvements."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
