Major shopping outlets welcome consumers on Chuseok for first time

Shinsegae Siheung Premium Outlet. [Courtesy of Shinsegae]

Major shopping outlets in South Korea will be open on Chuseok, or harvest holiday, for the first time, reflecting a shift in consumer patterns.

Retailers have decided to extend their operating days during the holiday period as more people choose not to visit their hometowns.

Shinsegae announced on Sunday that its premium outlets in Yeoju, Paju, Siheung, Busan, and Jeju will be open from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. on September 17.

This marks the first time Shinsegae outlets will operate on Chuseok since the company opened its first outlet in 2007.

Lotte is following suit, with six of its premium outlets—including locations in Uiwang, Dongbusan, Giheung, Gimhae, Icheon, and Paju—also opening during the same hours.

This is the first time Lotte outlets have opened on Chuseok since its first outlet launched in 2008.

The decision by major outlets to open on Chuseok reflects changing consumer behaviors.

More people are opting to stay home or travel instead of visiting their hometowns during the holiday.

“We anticipate many customers will be heading to the suburbs for fall outings and the Chuseok holiday, so we decided to open some stores in the afternoon,” said a Lotte official.

However, some concerns have been raised about the impact of expanded holiday operations on the rights of store employees.

“We decided to close all stores on Chuseok day to ensure our partners have the right to rest during the holiday,” said a representative from an outlet that chose not to open on Chuseok.

Both Shinsegae and Lotte have stated that they will allow their outlet partners to decide whether or not to operate on Chuseok.

More than 80 percent of partners in Lotte outlets are expected to participate, with a similar rate expected at Shinsegae outlets.

The decision to open on Chuseok is also seen as a response to stagnant sales.

According to industry sources, last year’s sales at major outlets like Lotte, Hyundai, and Shinsegae were either flat or slightly down compared to the previous year.