South Korea’s retailers brace for summer heat

Some have upgraded their cold-chain logistics system.

From methods to preserve refrigerated products to upgrades for its cold chain logistics, South Korea’s retail industry is preparing to deal with the upcoming summer heat in the country, Korea Bizwire reported.

Online grocer Market Kurly introduced new packaging this month that includes more ice packs and dry ice for refrigerated products. Aiming to ensure that the food is delivered in its best condition, the company is using some 100 kinds of packaging methods.

Meanwhile, Lotte Mart introduced stricter cold chain standards for online orders in May. Refrigerated products are wrapped with plastic bags and air cap bags before they are packed with ice packs, whilst frozen food is kept in a freezer until it is shipped out in delivery trucks.

Hypermarket chain Homeplus also rolled out so-called ‘three-room system vehicles’ that can carry frozen, refrigerated, and ordinary temperature products at the same time. These trucks are equipped with refrigerated, frozen storage space installed behind the driver’s seat.

Homeplus sorts products into refrigerated, frozen, and ordinary temperature categories, and ships them in the proper storage area on the delivery truck. When these products arrive at the destination, they are collected and delivered as a single package.