Chanel coronavirus cluster fear amid rush to beat price rises for handbags prompts threat to close label’s stores in South Korean capital Seoul

Authorities in South Korean capital, alarmed by hundreds of shoppers, some from outside the city, thronging Chanel stores, consider ordering them to shut

‘We were very worried about customers not practising proper social distancing while waiting,’ said an official at one department store with a Chanel boutique

2-MIN READ2-MIN

Department stores in the South Korean capital, Seoul, saw hundreds of shoppers queuing to buy Chanel luxury goods this week amid rumours of price rises, since confirmed by the French label. Authorities fear the queues could trigger coronavirus infections, and may order Chanel stores to close. Photo: Shutterstock

Published: 11:14am, 15 May 2020Updated: 11:35am, 19 May 2020

By Kim Jae-heun

The Seoul Metropolitan Government is considering imposing an administrative order to suspend the business of Chanel boutiques in the South Korean capital, saying its actions could contribute to a possible COVID-19 infection cluster. f

“We are well aware of this issue and we have been monitoring the situation. We are reviewing whether to put out an administrative order,” Na Baeq-ju, general director of the civil health bureau at the local administration, said.

Concern has arisen over another Covid-19 infection cluster after long queues formed in front of Chanel boutiques in department stores this week.

People queue to enter the Chanel boutique at a department store in Seoul this week. Photo: Reuters

This followed news that the French fashion brand would raise prices for some of its goods in South Korea by up to 25 per cent, following mark-ups of 5 per cent to 17 per cent in Europe. Chanel confirmed the price changes for its stores in the country on Thursday. [Reuters reports the goods affected by the price rises are certain handbag lines and other small leather goods.]