Sales of emergency supplies surge after earthquake

Sales of emergency supplies have visibly increased after the biggest earthquake in the country's history last week, retail industry officials said Wednesday.

Most of the shopping is done through online malls like Gmarket and 11st, according to the officials, with sales of some products rising nearly fourfold.

Gmarket said that during the seven days following the Sept. 12 quake in Gyeongju, 371 kilometers southeast of Seoul, sales of emergency supplies, such as descending devices, gas masks and generators, have jumped 37 percent compared with the same period last year. Demand also rose for slip-proof products (66 percent), flashlights (41 percent), and safety belts and ropes (22 percent), according to the online mall.

Sales of gauze and medical kits also increased, as well as ointments for wounds, the company said. In the case of pain relief patches, sales leaped 393 percent.

People also stocked up on water, which showed a 72 percent increase in sales during the period, and cup noodles (22 percent).

For 11st, demand rose for backpacks (59 percent), field rations (37 percent), helmets (22 percent) and flashlights (28 percent). Shoppers at the online retailer have also picked up one-person emergency backpacks made in Japan. The backpack contains 19 items most needed at times of disasters, including a radio, a blanket, a head cover, a face mask and emergency food.

"People are taking greater interest in safety after the earthquake, raising the demand for related products," a Gmarket official said. "They are searching through online malls where they can buy the products more easily." (Yonhap)