(LEAD) Coupang swings to Q3 loss on warehouse fire-related costs

E-commerce giant Coupang, Inc. reported a net loss in the third quarter of 2025, reversing a profit from the same period in the previous year. The decline in earnings can be attributed primarily to costs incurred due to a warehouse fire. In the three months ending September, Coupang disclosed a net loss of 715.1 billion won ($501 million), a substantial shift from a net profit of 131.6 billion won in the same quarter a year prior.

The fire at a Coupang Fulfillment Center in Incheon, situated approximately 30 kilometers west of Seoul, significantly impacted the company's financial performance. Notably, this blaze ranks as the second-longest-lasting warehouse fire in South Korea, following a 2021 incident at a Coupang distribution center in Icheon, roughly 50 kilometers southeast of the capital, which burned for around 130 hours.

It's worth noting that Coupang has now reported net losses for three consecutive quarters this year, with the ongoing aftermath of a data breach also contributing to its deteriorating earnings. The U.S.-listed company, which primarily generates revenue in South Korea, has faced considerable public criticism following the disclosure of a data breach in November 2025, affecting over 37 million customers.