Twice a month, the big super markets (e.g. LotteMart, E-Mart,...



Twice a month, the big super markets (e.g. LotteMart, E-Mart, Homeplus) in my neighborhood close down so that the smaller markets and convenience stores can generate more business. I don’t know how this idea came into fruition, but what a great way to keep local shops in business. Go Korea! What a great idea!

About 

Hi, I'm Stacy. I'm from Portland, Oregon, USA, and am currently living in Busan, South Korea. Check me out on: Tumblr, Twitter, Instagram, Lastfm, and Flickr.

 

Comments

Re: Twice a month, the big super markets (e.g. LotteMart, ...

While the inentions behind this law are good, for myself and a lot of other expats, its effect is utter nonsense. Why? It's very simple. The traditional street markets DON"T SELL THE THINGS THAT I GO TO THE BIG MARTS TO BUY.  Try getting a bottle of wine at the street markets. Or any cheese. Or pasta. Or a whole roast chicken... or ANYTHING non-Korean. I already buy my produce from the street markets (much cheaper/freshers than the big boys), but unless you're looking for a bag of dried anchovies or a load of  sliced cuttle fish in gochujang, you're gonna be out of luck.

And worst of all, they make the stores shut down on Sundays, the day of the week when I'm most likely going to want to pick up some things from the big Mart. Not to mention the fact that I often FORGET about this policy and walk all the way to the store with a shopping list only to find the door shuttered.  Hate.

These closings are straight-up retarded and should not be cheerleaded. 

Re: Twice a month, the big super markets (e.g. LotteMart, ...

I can respect a different opinion. I agree that it's easy to forget about this policy, and I also tend to shop at big marts for items that the traditional street markets do not sell. Apologies if my "cheerleading" disagrees with you, but I still find it fascinating that Korea attempts to protect smaller business and prevent big store monopolies. Who knows how long these closings will go on for. I know nothing about when or how they started. As a foreigner (or outsider) looking in, it will be interesting to see how Korea changes in the next decade.

Re: Twice a month, the big super markets (e.g. LotteMart, ...

You forgot the ignorance of wanting to be a capitalistic country, while stifling competition between the powerful and the weaker. Total dichotomy in throught from what they pretend to want, and what they actually do.

 

I who goes to HP or any of the other box stores for vegetables anyways??? That is the only value of the smaller places.

Re: Twice a month, the big super markets (e.g. LotteMart, ...

I don't think the law will effect that much how many people go to the traditional markets . Young people just prefer one stop shopping .Its also much easier to take young kids to a big mart . Its also  much warmer in winter there and much cooler in summer , Big marts have items the traditional marts dont have . Some things just disappear like drive in movies in usa . I dont know any young Koreans under 40 talking about going to a traditional market .  They talk about Costco , Megamart , Homeplus , Traders , Emart , Lottemart , and others I may have forgot , They will just go on Saturday or wait till Monday . The  water of a river flows and its hard to stop it .  Sometimes change is good . Sometimes change is bad , However usually change can not be stopped . Its like a flowing river after a rain storm .