The frenzy over the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics official goose down jacket has hit fever pitch, with the outerwear selling out once again in a blink of an eye. (Image: Yonhap)
SEOUL, Nov. 23 (Korea Bizwire) – The frenzy over the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics official goose down jacket has hit fever pitch, with the outerwear selling out once again in the blink of an eye.
The first release of the “Pyeongchang Long Padding” had sold out at most stores by November 16, prompting retailer Lotte Department Store to guarantee another shipment by November 22.
The first customer at Lotte’s luxury brand location Avenuel in Jamsil appeared at 7 p.m. on November 21. A line gradually began to form within the next hour, each arrival taking up a spot after reading a sign at the front that read: “1,000 entry passes will be distributed based on order of arrival”.
The first release of the “Pyeongchang Long Padding” had sold out at most stores by November 16, prompting retailer Lotte Department Store to guarantee another shipment by November 22. (Image: Yonhap)
Despite the entry passes set to be distributed by nine the next morning, and the store to open by ten-thirty, the line grew overnight to exceed 1,000 by a wide margin. Ultimately, those near the back of the line were left disgruntled and disappointed as the majority of them were turned away by security.
Other locations selling the jacket saw similar lines of hundreds patiently waiting. Families, groups of friends, couples, even a woman in a wheelchair all partook in the overnight vigil for the Pyeongchang Long Padding.
One man at the Gimpo Airport store said he had come from Chuncheon by train to buy his daughter-in-law the jacket. In Jamsil, a young man and his mother who were at the front of the line said they had come from Ilsan.
Avenuel at Jamsil has stated that it will hold another sale on November 30. (Image: Olympics Online Store)
The overwhelming demand for the jacket has led some to appeal to the highest office in the country. On the Blue House’s website, over 100 approved of a post urging the executive branch to increase the supply on grounds that “through the Pyeongchang Long Padding, interest in the Winter Olympics is on the rise”.
Meanwhile, the jacket has been popping up on online resale markets marked at an average price of 200,000 won, over 30 percent higher than the official price of 149,000 won. Despite the affordable price being one of the reasons for the jacket becoming a major sales item, offerings on resale websites have also been sold out.
Avenuel at Jamsil has stated that it will hold another sale on November 30.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
