With payments for the second round of high oil price relief funds starting on the 18th, major hypermarkets said the funds can be used at some leased shops inside their stores. While the funds cannot be used at hypermarket-operated stores, some leased shops run by small business owners inside the stores are included as eligible places.
According to the retail industry on the 17th, E-MART said the high oil price relief funds can be used at about 990 leased shops among those located in E-MART, Traders, and Everyday stores nationwide.
Eligible categories center on everyday services such as hair salons, optical shops, car washes, restaurants, and cafes. Even if they are inside a hypermarket, leased shops classified as being operated by individual small business owners can accept the funds if they meet the conditions.
Lotte Mart also said the high oil price relief funds can be used at roughly 900 of about 3,000 leased shops—around 30%—inside its 112 stores nationwide.
Eligible places include traditional markets, neighborhood marts, restaurants, and clothing stores, as well as other business sites operated by small business owners with annual sales of 3 billion won or less. For dining franchises, company-operated stores are excluded, and the funds can be used only at franchisee locations. Gas stations can accept the high oil price relief funds regardless of annual sales.
As a rule, the funds cannot be used at department stores and hypermarkets, SSMs (super supermarket), e-commerce, or large corporations' delivery apps. Accordingly, even for shops inside a hypermarket building, eligibility varies by operator, business category, and sales scale.
The funds cannot be used at hypermarket-operated stores or super supermarkets, but payment is possible at some leased shops that meet small business owner requirements.
To reduce customer confusion, hypermarkets posted separate notices at shops where the funds can be used. Notices were also placed at store entrances and along major traffic routes so customers can check eligibility on site.
Starting on the 18th, the government will provide the second round of high oil price relief funds to 70% of the population. The amount varies by place of residence. Residents of the Seoul metropolitan area receive 100,000 won, while residents outside the metro area receive 150,000 won. Among depopulating areas, residents in preferential support zones receive 200,000 won, and those in special support zones receive 250,000 won. The funds can be used within the local government that has jurisdiction over the registered address.