Deliveries to continue over Lunar New Year holiday

Workers from Hyundai Department Store disinfect packages as part of preventive measures against Covid-19. [HYUNDAI DEPARTMENT STORE]

Retailers are delivering Lunar New Year gift packages even during the holidays to capture the last minute demand.

The Lunar New Year holiday starts from Thursday and runs through Sunday.

Hyundai Department Store, GS25 and Coupang are among those making the effort.

Hyundai Department Store is offering same-day delivery to those who purchase Lunar New Year gifts on Thursday from its six branches, including those in Sinchon and Sindorim in western Seoul and Apgujeong in southern Seoul.

The gifts can be delivered within five kilometers (3.1 miles) of the department store branch for free for those who spend more than 50,000 won ($45). Those who spend less will have to pay 5,000 won for delivery.

Major discount mart stores, including Lotte Mart and Homeplus, are also providing delivery service, excluding Friday.

GS25 is offering a similar service.

A so-called half-price parcel delivery service will enable a customer to send a package from one GS25 store to another GS25 store, where the recipient will have to pick up the parcel.

It usually takes one or two days longer than the average parcel delivery service.

“Half-price parcel delivery can be helpful for customers sending Lunar New Year gifts, although it may take a couple of days longer than the average package delivery service, people who send gifts usually send them in advance,” said Kim Ha-yan, a spokesperson for GS Retail.

Deliveries will continue on Friday.

The price ranges from 1,600 won for packages weighing 500 grams (or below to 2,100 won for 10 kilograms (22 pounds).

Coupang operates delivery services as usual even during the holidays, while Market Kurly’s delivery is only taking a break on Saturday.

“The end of the Lunar New Year holiday this year overlaps with Valentine’s Day,” said a spokesperson for CJ Olive Young, a beauty retailer, which is offering delivery services during the holidays except on Friday. “We’ve decided to provide same-day delivery services for those who are preparing gifts last minute or have difficulty visiting offline stores.”

BY JIN MIN-JI [jin.minji@joongang.co.kr]

CAPTION:

Workers from Hyundai Department Store clean packages as part of preventive measures against Covid-19. [HYUNDAI DEPARTMENT STORE]