This image, provided by the Korea Tourism Organization, shows a typical Korean cuisine table arrangement for two people.
SEOUL, Aug. 17 (Korea Bizwire) – As the fourth wave of the coronavirus pandemic continues to sweep across the country, demand for tableware has been on the rise over the past 30 days as a growing number of individuals are trying to cut back on disposable materials as they eat at home.
Online shopping mall Gmarket reported a spike in demand for side-dish plates between July 12 and August 11, with sales up by a factor of 11.
Sales of noodle plates, bowls, and plates or food trays jumped by 228 percent, 109 percent, and 69 percent, respectively.
Another e-commerce platform Auction reported sales increases for rice bowls (181 percent), plates (121 percent), and side-dish plates (45 percent) as well.
Other kitchenware including teaspoons (509 percent), knives (330 percent), and spoon and chopstick holders (44 percent) also saw a significant boost in sales.
E-Mart Inc., the country’s biggest discount store chain, reported a 20.8 percent increase in cup sales over the 30 days following July 12, when level 4 social distancing measures kicked in.
Sales of stainless steel containers (12 percent), spoons and chopsticks (7.2 percent), and trays (7.4 percent) also increased.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
