Lockdown Changes Chuseok Gift Hampers

The coronavirus epidemic has changed just how people think about choosing gifts for Chuseok, the largest holiday of the entire year.

Retailers have adjusted their product range to appeal to customers who spend additional time at home. Shinsegae Department Store's on-line retail arm, SSG.com, bolstered its lineup of convenient meal kits, while Lotte Mart increased the lineup of foods for health-conscious customers and introduced hampers of personal-hygiene products for the very first time.

Shinsegae is also selling more wine, especially 200 ml mini bottles for singles who'll celebrate a lonesome Chuseok in front of the TV.

Hampers are also getting cheaper because few persons have much money to throw around. Some gifts like coffee or cosmetics cost W10,000 to W20,000 or fruit baskets W30,000-40,000 (US$1=W1,189).

Online purchases are naturally increasing. Hyundai increased the number of hampers which can be ordered online by thirty percent and Shinsegae by 70 percent.

Superstores are also adjusting to the brand new normal. "The Chuseok holiday this season is a vital chance of retailers to create some money after poor sales as a result of epidemic," one superstore staffer said. "Around 40 to 50 percent of Chuseok gifts are ordered online, so we've diversified products that are offered online and so are offering various discounts to boost sales."