South Korea is seeing signs of renewed Covid-19 activity, with consumers once again stocking up on face masks, self-test kits and cold medication as infections increase.
Major convenience store chains across the country have reported noticeable increases in sales of products associated with respiratory illnesses. The trend suggests that some pandemic-era habits are returning as families become more cautious about the spread of infections.
Sales data from 7-Eleven, GS25 and CU showed particularly strong demand during August, with test kits and health-related products recording significant month-on-month increases.
Covid-19 Test Kit Sales Rise Sharply
At 7-Eleven, sales of Covid-19 self-test kits increased by 62 per cent between Aug 1 and Aug 26 compared with the previous month. Sales of masks rose by 17 per cent, while purchases of cold medicine increased by 15 per cent.
Fever and pain relief medication also recorded a 14 per cent increase during the same period, indicating that consumers were buying a broader range of products to manage respiratory symptoms and prepare for possible infections.
GS25 reported a similar pattern. Sales of Covid-19 test kits climbed 30.3 per cent, while cold medicine sales rose 10.3 per cent.
Demand for masks designed for young children was especially pronounced. Sales of masks for children and infants jumped by 341 per cent compared with the previous month.
Parents Become More Cautious Over Children’s Health
The increase in demand comes as some childcare centres have reported a rise in cold-like illnesses accompanied by high fevers among very young children.
Hwang Ji-mi, a teacher at a daycare centre in Seoul’s Dongjak district, said parents had been encouraged to send children to daycare wearing masks following a series of illnesses affecting one- and two-year-olds.
The developments have contributed to renewed public interest in masks and Covid-19 testing, particularly among parents concerned about infections spreading through schools and childcare facilities.
Convenience store operators believe the increase in Covid-19 infections is partly responsible for the change in consumer behaviour.
South Korea’s Covid-19 Detection Rate Increases
Official health data indicated that South Korea’s Covid-19 detection rate reached 9.1 per cent during the week of Aug 9 to Aug 15. That was considerably higher than the 3.2 per cent recorded three weeks earlier.
The number of Covid-19 patients being treated in general hospitals also increased during the same period, adding to concerns about the latest wave of infections.
China has also reported an increase in Covid-19 cases. Local media reports said approximately 522,000 infections were recorded there in July, including 487 severe cases and one reported death.
With schools returning to regular classes, retailers expect demand for Covid-19 test kits, masks and cold medication to remain elevated in the near term.
Seasonal Changes Could Drive Further Demand
A GS25 official said the return to school could keep demand for health and hygiene products strong, while the transition between seasons may further increase sales.
The latest figures highlight how quickly consumer behaviour can change when respiratory infections begin increasing. Although masks and Covid-19 testing are no longer part of everyday life for many people, concerns over outbreaks can quickly revive demand for protective products.
For households with young children, elderly family members or people who may be more vulnerable to respiratory infections, the renewed availability of home test kits and protective products could also provide an accessible way to respond to changing public health conditions.
The developments in South Korea serve as another reminder that Covid-19 remains a circulating respiratory virus, even as countries have moved away from the extraordinary restrictions and precautions seen during the height of the pandemic.