<Anchor> This is a
friendly economic time. Today (9th), I will be with reporter Kim Hye-min. The rapid rise of COVID-19 these days is really not too serious. Did you say that online shipping has increased significantly?
<Reporter>
That's right. The number of confirmed cases has increased significantly in a short period of time. Many companies are back to working from home. I already feel that the roads on the way to and from work are quiet, and citizens are voluntarily canceling private meetings one after another.
Besides, Corona has recently spread widely in places where there are many people, such as department stores and restaurants. That's why I don't go to large marts, department stores, or restaurants. The use of online mart delivery has increased significantly again.
One large online mart usually had an order closing rate of about 85%, but on the 6th and 7th, it exceeded 90%. The order items were focused on food and hygiene related items.
During the two days, the number of meal kits and masks increased by about 20% compared to the previous week. Another large supermarket said that orders for convenience food, fruit and rice increased during the same period.
An online mart famous for early morning delivery, the number of orders increased by 5% from the 5th to the 7th compared to the previous week, and it is said that people bought a lot of side dishes and convenience foods.
<Anchor>
Reporter Kim, the government has not yet made a clear announcement, but it is highly likely that the current level of social distancing will be upgraded to Level 4, the highest level. If this happens, there will be more orders, but wouldn't the industry need to be prepared?
<Reporter>
Government departments are calling for the implementation of four-step social distancing as soon as possible. Then only two people can gather after 6pm. This is no exception, even if it is an immediate family.
Since going out is virtually impossible, it is natural for people to flock to online shopping. The retail industry seems to be busy with the return of 'home away from home'.
In particular, early morning delivery companies are securing supplies in preparation for a significant increase in food material and meal kit orders. In addition, we are making every effort to quarantine the distribution center.
The problem is that the logistics center is a closed space, so the confirmed cases are coming out one after another. In Coupang, yesterday, a confirmed case of Corona 19 occurred at the logistics centers in Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do and Gimhae-si, Gyeongnam, and the two centers were closed.
Market Kurly also confirmed that a worker at a distribution center was confirmed one after another on the 3rd. Closing the distribution center in this way causes a huge disruption to delivery, and retailers are said to be in a state of extreme tension to prevent additional confirmed cases.
<Anchor>
Reporter Kim, let's talk a little bit more about delivery today. One-day delivery seems to have just come out these days, but are more and more companies that deliver within 15 minutes? Is this possible?
<Reporter>
In fact, if you order online, it usually arrives the next day. You should be able to receive it the next morning at the earliest. Recently, however, there has been a 15-minute delivery competition among retailers.
It is also called a quick commerce market, and it is a service that establishes small distribution centers in each region and delivers goods as quickly as possible when an order comes in.
Although it is relatively expensive due to the additional shipping cost, the main customers are people who want to buy small quantity items quickly.
It is said that the demand is steadily increasing mainly among the younger generation and single-person households who are accustomed to delivery.
A delivery company recently started a pilot service in Songpa-gu, Seoul to deliver something like fresh food, which takes only 10 to 15 minutes. After the pilot test, it is said that it will be expanded further to the Gangnam area of Seoul.
Another online delivery company has set up 30 logistics centers in the metropolitan area for three years, and has delivered over 7,000 products within 30 minutes to an hour.
There is also a company that has launched a '49-minute lightning delivery' service, which is a service that delivers within 49 minutes of purchasing a mart product to a nearby area.
In addition, as the e-commerce industry entered this market, Quick Commerce emerged as a battleground for retailers.
<Anchor>
However, in relation to the delivery market, I know that there was a civil society movement not to do it because it caused a lot of side effects, but if fast delivery is emphasized like this, a lot of side effects will inevitably occur.
<Reporter>
That's right. These concerns are already emerging, because Quick Commerce has to operate a small and medium-sized logistics center in the city center.
In particular, in Gangnam, where there is a lot of delivery, rent is expensive, and there is also a cold chain facility and employee labor costs are also included.
Currently, operating at a loss is unavoidable, so it is difficult for non-large companies to invest. We believe that a bleeding race is inevitable.
So, experts believe that it will eventually become a battle of capital, and the safety of the drivers who deliver it may be threatened as the competition for delivery is split down to the minute.
It is pointed out that a system or system that can deliver safely before promoting to customers by recklessly shortening the delivery time is needed.