다시 문 연 홈플러스, 5일간 437억 매출…‘특수’ 걷힌 뒤가 진짜 승부처

Homeplus re-opened its doors on March 13th and within a week, it reported a record net sales of 437 billion won, marking a significant step towards its recovery. Analysts believe that this initial surge could be a true test of the company's stabilization. The chain had been conducting large-scale promotional events, including "50% discount on beef" at various counters, from March 13th to 17th, resulting in total sales of 437 billion won.

This represented a 191% increase compared to the 150 billion won recorded during the same period last month. The heavy discount on fresh food items, particularly beef, appears to have attracted a large number of customers, leading to overall improved performance. Upon its reopening, Homeplus witnessed a massive influx of customers, with sales increasing from around 30 billion won per day to 87 billion won in the first week alone.

Similarly, the average number of customers visiting increased from 138,200 to 239,600, indicating a positive recovery trend. Homeplus is closely monitoring the return of customers who left during the closure, noting that this shift has been consistent across all branches and even on weekends. Analysts are cautiously optimistic, emphasizing that the company's success will depend on sustained performance beyond the initial promotional period and the need for a stable supply chain and customer base.

Industry experts caution against overestimating the impact of large-scale events, suggesting that maintaining sales post-event is the key challenge. Homeplus plans to focus on strengthening product and pricing competitiveness, enhancing store services, and collaborating with suppliers and distributors to ensure a smooth recovery.

The company believes that the positive response from customers post-reopening serves as a vital momentum for its resumption of normal operations. The board meeting to review the company's recovery plan is scheduled for next month, involving stakeholders such as management, bondholders, secured creditors, and shareholders.