홈플러스 재개장, 고객·직원 웃었지만 불안감 여전…3주 뒤 경영정상화 분수령

On the 13th, the customer-filled 홈플러스 (HomePlus) store at 강서점 (Seongnae branch) of the company was bustling once again. The store manager, 이아무개 (44), said, "It was quite overwhelming for us as customers poured in." From 10 am onwards, the first floor's 움비워크 (Womb Workout) area was filled with carts lined up, waiting for entry. At the 정육 (Jung-yuk) corner, around 50 people lined up for the 50% discount on beef dishes, and at the 장보기 (Jang-bogi) counter, 20 people eagerly waited for the limited porridge rice snacks.

Nearby residents, who had faced inconvenience during the temporary closure in July, welcomed the store's reopening with open arms. Mrs. 홍영순 (73) said, "It's been two times a week that I visited 홈플러스, and I'm so happy to see the store open again." Mr. 이경섭 (49), who came with his family, expressed his hope that the store would thrive, not just for groceries but also for meals and activities at the 키즈카페 (Kids Café) and 문화센터 (Cultural Center).

While the store had regained its energy, a lingering sense of uncertainty remained. The court hearing to decide on the company's ultimate financial restructuring plan is set for three weeks later. If approved, 홈플러스 could start the restructuring process, but if not, the court might consider cancelling the process or taking other measures.

The anticipated outcome of this hearing will largely depend on the store's ability to demonstrate recovery through increased sales. However, some in the distribution industry are concerned that the sudden discount promotions might worsen the company's financial structure. These sudden offers could be seen as a short-term "trick" to ensure immediate cash flow, rather than a sustainable long-term solution.

Additionally, the relationship between 홈플러스 and its suppliers remains a concern. The company's suppliers had demanded an immediate payment of overdue payments made in May. While some suppliers reported receiving partial payments, others still had outstanding amounts, leading to a lack of clarity about future payments. 홈플러스 workers attended a joint press conference with various opposition party leaders, urging the nation's active participation in saving the company.

The workers also announced their support for the company's recovery and normalization of operations.