According to statistics released Wednesday, the combined market share of convenience stores in Korea has surpassed that of local supermarkets for the first time, reflecting a rapidly expanding desire to buy in less crowded venues as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.

In 2017, sales income from three convenience shops — GS25, CU, and 7-Eleven — accounted for 30.7 percent of total retail sales revenue, which followed three department stores — Lotte, Shinsegae, and Hyundai — in the previous year. First time in the country's history, the number outperformed that of the three major grocery chains, E-mart, Lotte Mart, and Home Plus, by 0.3 percentage points.

Last year, convenience shops had their sales income increase by 6.8 percent when compared to 2020, whilst big supermarkets saw their sales revenue declined by 2.3 percent.

According to the data, convenience stores have experienced an increase in sales of ready-made meals and quick food. On the other hand, sales at big supermarkets have plunged across the board, with home appliances and food among the worst-hit categories.

Major supermarkets have had the highest market shares until 2019, according to the government, who also included department shops and convenience stores as competitors.

Many consumers, however, have avoided crowded supermarkets, where the danger of catching the virus is higher, according to an industry source, as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. Instead, people have begun to shop at less-frequented convenience stores in the area, where they may buy in smaller quantities, according to the report.

Su-bin, a 32-year-old Seoulite, claims she has primarily utilized internet shopping and convenience stores to purchase food and other things since the outbreak of COVID-19 began in March of this year.

"Unlike in the past, when there were only a few things available, such as ramen and snacks, I can now get a wide variety of meal kits, sauces, seasonings, and other necessities at convenience stores." "As a result, I don't feel the need to frequent large stores," Lee continued.

Meanwhile, the retailing behemoth Lotte Group recently announced that it had closed an agreement to purchase a 100 percent share in Ministop, therefore gaining control of over 2,600 locations. As a result, business insiders predict that convenience shops' market share will expand significantly in the next years.