Homeplus has initiated the reopening of 67 stores after securing 200 billion won in emergency operating funds. The stores will begin a soft opening on August 7, during which product displays and facility checks will take place, with full operations set to commence on August 13.
On August 6, the Homeplus store in Cheonho-dong, Gangdong-gu, Seoul, buzzed with activity after being closed for nearly three weeks. The sounds of refrigeration units, which had been silent for a long time, filled the basement food court, while four employees in Homeplus vests activated the point-of-sale systems to check the payment process.
Nearby, another employee was busy restocking empty shelves with boxes of Homeplus's private brand, Simplus.
Around 20 employees were actively engaged throughout the food court, arranging products, cleaning shelves, and checking price tags and inventory. Staff in the ready-to-eat section were also preparing for customers by inspecting cooking equipment and utensils. Laughter from employees returning to work after a long absence could be heard throughout the store.
In contrast, the basement level, which previously sold electronics and miscellaneous goods, remained dark and quiet. Homeplus is reducing its multi-level stores to single-level layouts of about 1,000 square meters, focusing on food, private brands, and essential goods. The company plans to model its operations after Trader Joe's, which features over 80% private brand products.
The company is also accelerating the restocking of products for the reopening. According to a Homeplus representative, 10 pallets were received on August 3, followed by 20 pallets on August 4, and another 10 pallets on August 5. From August 6 to 8, an additional 40 pallets are scheduled to arrive each day.
At the 67 stores nationwide, a minimum of 52 to a maximum of 70 employees are working to restock products and check facilities. Many indirect workers responsible for parking, cart management, and store maintenance during the closure have left, so existing staff are sharing responsibilities across departments.
However, the restoration of the fresh food supply chain is expected to be critical for resuming normal operations. The Homeplus Labor Union emphasized in a statement that the normalization of deliveries from Nonghyup, which has supplied over 50% of fresh food, will be a decisive factor in the overall reopening success.
Meanwhile, Homeplus plans to keep stores open from August 7 to 12 for product displays and facility checks, with formal operations, including discount events, starting on August 13. Online delivery services will resume around August 13 at 20 stores, with plans to gradually expand to a maximum of 59 stores.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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