"Deliver by the 6th": Homeplus Sends Official Letter… Food Companies Say "Clear Outstanding Payments First"

Homeplus is accelerating preparations to resume operations by calling all employees back to work. Major food companies are also continuing negotiations with Homeplus regarding the resumption of deliveries. However, many locations still have not resolved unsettled payments accumulated during the rehabilitation process, so even if stores reopen, it will take time to restore full product assortments.

According to the food industry on the 5th, Homeplus sent an official letter to major food companies requesting delivery of products by the 6th. Among large NB (general manufacturer brand) products, CJ CheilJedang and Daesung have already resumed deliveries. The Seoul Milk Cooperative is also negotiating product categories and delivery dates with Homeplus on the premise of resuming deliveries. Once the disbursement of 200 billion won in emergency operating funds (DIP) is completed, other partner companies are expected to gradually resume product supply.

In contrast, Ottogi, Pulmuone, Samyang Foods, and HiteJinro have taken a cautious stance, stating they are still reviewing whether to resume deliveries. The biggest obstacle remains unpaid amounts. In the food industry, it is estimated that including small and medium-sized food companies, the total unsettled amount will exceed 200 billion won. A food company official said, "There are still outstanding payments for previous deliveries, so resolving this issue must take priority."

The food industry is closely watching whether additional financial support beyond the 200 billion won DIP will be provided. To attract customers back and return operations to normal, stores must restore product assortments at previous levels, including dairy products, alcoholic beverages, and snacks. Among these, fresh foods with short display periods place a greater burden on inventory management operations. The message is that additional funding support and payment guarantees are conditions for resuming deliveries. Another food industry official said, "We will likely assess whether stable supply conditions such as product management are in place before reflecting these matters in contracts to decide on resumption."

Labor-management negotiations over wages and bonuses after the resumption of operations remain a challenge for stable operations. Homeplus announced that it has reached an agreement with two major unions (Mart Union and General Union) and the employee representative body, Hanmaeum Council, to defer wage payments by two months at a time until March next year and to pay regular bonuses in installments over six months. However, the Mart Union is opposing this, calling it a unilateral proposal from management.

Meanwhile, Homeplus plans to resume operations starting with 67 stores as early as the 7th. This comes 25 days after entering temporary suspension on the 13th of last month. The Seoul Bankruptcy Court has set the deadline for approving the rehabilitation plan for next month's 4th; until then, Homeplus must demonstrate its viability for rehabilitation through ongoing operations.

Homeplus began preparations for reopening by calling all employees back to work starting on the 4th, excluding those on leave and those wishing to maintain paid leave status. The operation method will differ from before, focusing on efficiently running stores with PB (private brand) products, essential foods, and daily necessities.