Emart to close at 10 p.m., an hour early, at most branches
Emart will close an hour earlier, at 10 p.m., from April 3 at all but a few branches.
The new measure will be implemented as the number of customers who visit the stores at night dwindle and to improve conditions for workers.
The retailer has been closing an hour early at 66 branches, out of 136 stores nationwide, since December. The measure will be implemented at the other 70 branches from April 3.
Branches in Wangsimni in eastern Seoul, Jayang, Sinchon in western Seoul, Yongsan in central Seoul will be open until 10:30 p.m., considering foot traffic and high frequency of nighttime customers.
“The adjustment in opening hours reflects the change in customer consumption patterns,” said Emart CEO Kang Heui-seok. “We hope to lead a change in the retail industry, which can satisfy both our customers and workers.”
Customers who visit stores after 10 p.m. decreased 1.4 percentage points to 3 percent of the total in 2022, according to Emart data.
Customers who visit the stores between 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. increased, and the sales made during those four hours are the highest of any period during the day. The four hours accounted for 40 percent of the sales on weekdays and nearly 50 percent during the weekends.
Opening hours will be adjusted flexibly, according to Emart. The retailer may make an exception during the period of large promotional events or summer vacation when the overall number of customers increase.
BY LEE JAE-LIM [lee.jaelim@joongang.co.kr]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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