On August 9, at M Pharmacy in Yongsan, Seoul, shopping carts at the entrance were quickly emptied, resembling a large supermarket. Customers entering the store headed straight for the health supplement section.
A woman in her 50s spent about 30 minutes comparing products. Although she initially came to buy probiotics for her family, her cart ended up filled with omega-3 supplements and artificial tears. "Thirty minutes isn't enough," she remarked as she returned to the supplement aisle.
Warehouse pharmacies, which display over-the-counter medications, health supplements, and other products in spacious settings, allow consumers to browse and compare items before purchasing. Since the first warehouse pharmacy opened in Seongnam in June 2022, the number of locations has expanded.
It was rare to see a customer heading to the checkout with just one item. Carts were filled with supplements, over-the-counter medications, and household goods. A woman in her 30s, who came to buy ointment, ended up adding gift items to her cart after browsing. Her total exceeded 100,000 won.
One consumer, who drove 40 minutes to the pharmacy, said, "I come about once a month to buy supplements and get everything I need at once."
While the pharmacies offer a variety of products, including dermatological cosmetics and pet supplies, consumer spending is primarily focused on health supplements. A couple selecting children's vitamins noted, "It's good for comparing options, but there don't seem to be many choices for children's products compared to adult supplements. We hope for more options."
At L Pharmacy near Cheongnyangni Station in Dongdaemun, Seoul, many customers are local residents. Here, too, shoppers often start by browsing the health supplement section, although some regulars come just for medication consultations. A woman in her 60s, who is on blood pressure medication, returned to consult the pharmacist about her prescription before leaving the pharmacy.
A representative from L Pharmacy stated, "Regular customers often come for consultations, while first-time visitors usually browse the store." The average transaction amount varies but is around 50,000 won.
Although warehouse pharmacies are familiar in name, actual visitation experiences remain limited. A survey by Embrain Trend Monitor found that while 87.6% of 1,000 respondents aged 19 to 69 were aware of warehouse pharmacies, only 26.4% had visited one. The most common reason for not visiting was the lack of nearby locations, cited by 66% of respondents. However, 79.1% of those who had visited rated their experience positively.
During the summer vacation season, many consumers intentionally sought out these pharmacies from outside Seoul. They cited competitive pricing, a wide range of products, and the ability to purchase everything they need in one trip as key advantages. One shopper said, "I can't come often because it's far, but if it were closer, I would visit more frequently."
Despite the increased price competitiveness and variety, there remains a perception that medications differ from regular consumer goods. Among those who rated warehouse pharmacies negatively, concerns about medication misuse were the primary issue. One shopper with a full cart commented, "It's good that I can compare products while receiving medication guidance. Even when I choose products myself, I always double-check with the pharmacist at the end."
As the number of consumers visiting warehouse pharmacies grows, ensuring accurate medication guidance and safe management of pharmaceuticals remains a challenge. While price competitiveness and convenience attract customers, there is a strong call for a safe medication environment. The government is also closely monitoring the market changes and potential impacts on public health due to the rise of warehouse pharmacies.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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