Homeplus Co. said on the 31st that it has posted 116.4 billion won in sales since its August reopening. That is 57% more than the same period before the business suspension.
Homeplus Co., whose operating funds had run out, fully suspended operations at 67 key stores nationwide on July 13. After emergency operating funds were injected, it held a soft opening on Aug. 7 and resumed normal operations at all stores on the 13th.
Homeplus Co., which has entered rehabilitation proceedings, can currently receive deliveries only if it pays for goods in advance. Large discount stores typically receive goods first, sell them, and then pay with the proceeds, but Homeplus Co. is bringing in only the volume for which advance payment is possible within its available operating funds. The company said the sales were generated even as the items available for sale were limited.
During the same period, store traffic rose 38%, and the number of purchasing members surged 255%. Homeplus Co. believes its customer base is holding up, as sales have remained steady even excluding the first weekend, when sales spiked right after the reopening.
A Homeplus Co. official said, "We have significantly improved profitability by shedding unprofitable stores through rehabilitation proceedings and drastically cutting various expense," and added, "With a solid customer base, once normal deliveries resume, it will be fully possible to normalize operations."