Cigarettes, soju may be pulled from discount stores

An employee arranges soju on the shelf at a Lotte Mart in Seoul in this file photo. (Photo : The Korea Times)

The Seoul Metropolitan Government is seeking to ban large discount stores from selling cigarettes, soju and some daily necessities as part of its moves to help protect mom-and-pop stores and traditional markets.

“We’re now discussing measures to limit the types of goods sold at large retail chains and super-super markets (SSMs) to protect smaller shops and traditional markets,” an official from the city government said Thursday. “Some of the items suggested so far include cigarettes and soju.”

Earlier this month, Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon hinted he would push forward the plan to limit the types of products sold at large retail chains.

“In addition to the measure to limit the location of large retail stores, there are also other ways to restrict their business and SSMs such as limiting the types of items sold there and the amount they offer,” he said.

The city government is planning to submit the proposal to the Ministry of Knowledge Economy next month to revise the Law of Shared Growth for Large and Small Business.

The move came amid growing demands for stronger measures to help small stores and traditional markets, especially after the government’s restriction to limit the hours of operation for large discount chains turned out to be ineffective.

The government forced the discount chains to close their doors every second and fourth Sunday as well as from midnight to 8 a.m. every day since April. However, the restriction has produced no substantial effects, as the number of stores following the new rules has drastically fallen after a court ruled in their favor in a series of administrative suits against municipalities, citing illegalities in the implementation of ordinances.

“The restriction to limiting operating hours has been ineffective in protecting small businesses and limiting the types of items sold at chain stores would be more helpful,” the official said.

The proposed goods to be banned from chain stores would include cigarettes, soju, ramyeon, small batteries, light bulbs and tofu as there is little difference in price between discount chains and small stores, he said.

But large retail chains have criticized the move, saying it will only inconvenience customers.

“The measure would mean that we should give up stocking all the steady-sellers and customers would experience a lot of inconvenience,” an official from a discount chain brand said. “This is another hasty measure to illegally hamper our businesses along with the limit on operating hours.”

Some retail chains have threatened to again take legal action, arguing the new move is illegal. <The Korea Times/Kim Tae-jong>

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