In South Korea, major supermarket chains are intensifying their discount events for fruits and vegetables through partnerships with the government or leveraging their supply chains, in response to recent price hikes. From January to March 2024, Emart, Homeplus, and Lotte Mart organized 29 discount events, a notable increase from the previous year. This surge is aimed at mitigating 'produce runs,' a phenomenon where consumers queue to buy discounted produce. For instance, over 100 customers gathered at a Lotte Mart in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, to purchase discounted apples, with the store managing the queue through a numbered ticket system.
The increase in discount events is in line with the Korean government's efforts to stabilize prices amidst poor harvests that have driven up fruit prices, prompting the lowering of tariffs on imported fruits. The supermarket chains are anticipated to extend their discount events into April 2024.
Source: pulsenews.co.kr