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| A supermarket in Seoul has put up a sign that reads, "We do not sell Japanese products." / Yonhap |
By Kwak Yeon-soo
Consumers are turning away from Japanese products like beer, instant noodles and snacks, in the wake of a trade dispute over Tokyo's recent decision to curb exports of high-tech materials to Seoul.
With sales of these products falling dramatically at discount chains, many say this is an indication that the "Boycott Japan" movement is hurting business.
Supermarket chain E-mart said Japanese beer sales dropped by 30.1 percent between July 1 and 18 compared to the same period a month ago.
Japanese instant noodle sales plunged 31.4 percent, while Japanese seasoning sauce sales fell 29.7 percent and Japanese natto sales declined 9.9 percent, according to E-mart.
Lotte Mart also saw a 15.2 percent decrease in Japanese beer sales during the same period.
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Japanese instant noodle sales dropped 26.4 percent while natto sales fell 11.4 percent. Japanese snack sales fell 21.4 percent from a month earlier.
Meanwhile, convenience stores suffered weekly losses in July as a result of the widespread boycott of Japanese products.
CU suffered a 40.1 percent plunge in Japanese beer sales between July 1 and 18 compared to the same period a month earlier, while sales of other imported beers increased by 1.9 percent. Local beer sales rose 2.8 percent.
At GS25, Japanese beer sales fell 24.4 percent between July 1 and 17. During the same time, local beer sales rose 4.3 percent.
At 7-Eleven, Japanese beer sales dropped 20.6 percent while local beer sales increased 2.4 percent.
"With the Boycott Japan movement gaining more traction, we're witnessing a bigger drop in weekly sales," a convenience store official said.
"Given that beer sales in general have increased, it's obvious the boycott has had a certain impact on sales. Many of those who preferred Japanese beer brands have shifted to other imported or Korean brands."
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