South Korean duty-free stores cut hours since travel restrictions
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South Korean duty-free stores are electing to temporarily close for business as the coronavirus pandemic continues.
With the continued idling of airport gateways, the industry has been hit particularly severely, with operators making tough decisions on opening hours that usually run 24/7/365.
Shilla Duty-Free will shutter its store on the popular Jeju Island on weekends and holidays for the month, while Shinsegae Duty-Free closed yet its fifth outlet out of 19 stores at Incheon International Airport. Shinsegae has also agreed with the airport to stop midnight sales at the remaining stores in operation.
Lotte Duty-Free and Shilla have also reduced hours at their Incheon Terminal 2 stores, closing at 9.30 pm. Shilla is also expected to shutter its Yongsan downtown store in Seoul.
Questions & Answers
Q.Which duty-free operator has closed the most outlets at Incheon International Airport?
Which duty-free operator has closed the most outlets at Incheon International Airport?
Shinsegae Duty-Free has closed five of its 19 stores at Incheon International Airport. Other operators mentioned, Lotte Duty-Free and Shilla Duty-Free, have reduced hours but not specified as many full closures at this location.
Q.What specific measures has Shilla Duty-Free taken to reduce operations?
What specific measures has Shilla Duty-Free taken to reduce operations?
Shilla Duty-Free will close its Jeju Island store on weekends and holidays for the month. They have also reduced hours at their Incheon Terminal 2 store, closing at 9:30 pm, and are expected to shutter their Yongsan downtown store in Seoul.
Q.Why are South Korean duty-free stores reducing their opening hours?
Why are South Korean duty-free stores reducing their opening hours?
South Korean duty-free stores are electing to temporarily close or reduce hours because the coronavirus pandemic continues, and airport gateways remain idle. This has severely impacted the industry, forcing operators to make difficult decisions.
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