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코스트코 중국 1호점이 개장 첫날 4시간 만에 문 닫은 뒤 고안해 낸 해결방안

오전 9시에 영업을 시작해 오후 1시경 문을 닫아야 했다.

  • 김태우
  • 입력 2019.08.28 21:58
  • 수정 2019.08.28 22:24

미국 회원제 할인마트 코스트코의 중국 1호점이 지난 27일 오전 상하이에 문을 열었다. 코스트코 상하이 매장은 문을 연 지 4시간 만인 이날 오후 1시경 영업을 중단해야 했다. 매장에 너무 많은 인파가 몰려 큰 혼란이 빚어졌기 때문이다.  

People visit the first Costco outlet in China, on the stores opening day in Shanghai on August 27, 2019. - China has proved a brutal battleground for overseas food retailers in recent years, with many failing to understand consumer habits and tastes as well as local competitors building a stronger presence. (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP)        (Photo credit should read HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images)
People visit the first Costco outlet in China, on the stores opening day in Shanghai on August 27, 2019. - China has proved a brutal battleground for overseas food retailers in recent years, with many failing to understand consumer habits and tastes as well as local competitors building a stronger presence. (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP) (Photo credit should read HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images) ⓒHECTOR RETAMAL via Getty Images

중국 관영 신화통신에 따르면 고객들은 계산대에서 2시간씩 줄을 서는가 하면, 주차를 위해 3시간을 기다렸다고도 밝혔다. 인파가 붐벼 매장이 아수라장으로 변하자 코스트코는 이날 오후 회원들에게 ”매장이 인파로 가득 찼다. 여러분께 더 나은 쇼핑 경험을 제공하기 위해 오후에는 영업을 중단한다”라는 내용의 안내 메시지를 전송하고 매장 문을 닫았다.

SHANGHAI, CHINA - AUGUST 24: People stand in front of a Costco store on August 24, 2019 in Shanghai, China. Costco Wholesale Corp. will open its first store in mainland China on August 27. (Photo by VCG/VCG via Getty Images)
SHANGHAI, CHINA - AUGUST 24: People stand in front of a Costco store on August 24, 2019 in Shanghai, China. Costco Wholesale Corp. will open its first store in mainland China on August 27. (Photo by VCG/VCG via Getty Images) ⓒVCG via Getty Images
TOPSHOT - People visit the first Costco outlet in China, on the stores opening day in Shanghai on August 27, 2019. - China has proved a brutal battleground for overseas food retailers in recent years, with many failing to understand consumer habits and tastes as well as local competitors building a stronger presence. (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP)        (Photo credit should read HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images)
TOPSHOT - People visit the first Costco outlet in China, on the stores opening day in Shanghai on August 27, 2019. - China has proved a brutal battleground for overseas food retailers in recent years, with many failing to understand consumer habits and tastes as well as local competitors building a stronger presence. (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP) (Photo credit should read HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images) ⓒHECTOR RETAMAL via Getty Images
People visit the first Costco outlet in China, on the stores opening day in Shanghai on August 27, 2019. - China has proved a brutal battleground for overseas food retailers in recent years, with many failing to understand consumer habits and tastes as well as local competitors building a stronger presence. (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP)        (Photo credit should read HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images)
People visit the first Costco outlet in China, on the stores opening day in Shanghai on August 27, 2019. - China has proved a brutal battleground for overseas food retailers in recent years, with many failing to understand consumer habits and tastes as well as local competitors building a stronger presence. (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP) (Photo credit should read HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images) ⓒHECTOR RETAMAL via Getty Images
People visit the first Costco outlet in China, on the stores opening day in Shanghai on August 27, 2019. - China has proved a brutal battleground for overseas food retailers in recent years, with many failing to understand consumer habits and tastes as well as local competitors building a stronger presence. (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP)        (Photo credit should read HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images)
People visit the first Costco outlet in China, on the stores opening day in Shanghai on August 27, 2019. - China has proved a brutal battleground for overseas food retailers in recent years, with many failing to understand consumer habits and tastes as well as local competitors building a stronger presence. (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP) (Photo credit should read HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images) ⓒHECTOR RETAMAL via Getty Images
People visit the first Costco outlet in China, on the stores opening day in Shanghai on August 27, 2019. - China has proved a brutal battleground for overseas food retailers in recent years, with many failing to understand consumer habits and tastes as well as local competitors building a stronger presence. (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP)        (Photo credit should read HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images)
People visit the first Costco outlet in China, on the stores opening day in Shanghai on August 27, 2019. - China has proved a brutal battleground for overseas food retailers in recent years, with many failing to understand consumer habits and tastes as well as local competitors building a stronger presence. (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP) (Photo credit should read HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images) ⓒHECTOR RETAMAL via Getty Images
TOPSHOT - People try to get a roast chicken at the first Costco outlet in China, on the stores opening day in Shanghai on August 27, 2019. - China has proved a brutal battleground for overseas food retailers in recent years, with many failing to understand consumer habits and tastes as well as local competitors building a stronger presence. (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP)        (Photo credit should read HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images)
TOPSHOT - People try to get a roast chicken at the first Costco outlet in China, on the stores opening day in Shanghai on August 27, 2019. - China has proved a brutal battleground for overseas food retailers in recent years, with many failing to understand consumer habits and tastes as well as local competitors building a stronger presence. (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP) (Photo credit should read HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images) ⓒHECTOR RETAMAL via Getty Images
People try to get a roast chicken at the first Costco outlet in China, on the stores opening day in Shanghai on August 27, 2019. - China has proved a brutal battleground for overseas food retailers in recent years, with many failing to understand consumer habits and tastes as well as local competitors building a stronger presence. (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP)        (Photo credit should read HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images)
People try to get a roast chicken at the first Costco outlet in China, on the stores opening day in Shanghai on August 27, 2019. - China has proved a brutal battleground for overseas food retailers in recent years, with many failing to understand consumer habits and tastes as well as local competitors building a stronger presence. (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP) (Photo credit should read HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images) ⓒHECTOR RETAMAL via Getty Images
People visit the first Costco outlet in China, on the stores opening day in Shanghai on August 27, 2019. - China has proved a brutal battleground for overseas food retailers in recent years, with many failing to understand consumer habits and tastes as well as local competitors building a stronger presence. (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP)        (Photo credit should read HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images)
People visit the first Costco outlet in China, on the stores opening day in Shanghai on August 27, 2019. - China has proved a brutal battleground for overseas food retailers in recent years, with many failing to understand consumer habits and tastes as well as local competitors building a stronger presence. (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP) (Photo credit should read HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images) ⓒHECTOR RETAMAL via Getty Images
People visit the first Costco outlet in China, on the stores opening day in Shanghai on August 27, 2019. - China has proved a brutal battleground for overseas food retailers in recent years, with many failing to understand consumer habits and tastes as well as local competitors building a stronger presence. (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP)        (Photo credit should read HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images)
People visit the first Costco outlet in China, on the stores opening day in Shanghai on August 27, 2019. - China has proved a brutal battleground for overseas food retailers in recent years, with many failing to understand consumer habits and tastes as well as local competitors building a stronger presence. (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP) (Photo credit should read HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images) ⓒHECTOR RETAMAL via Getty Images

현장에는 교통체증 해소와 질서 회복을 위해 경찰이 배치됐다. 현지 경찰 당국은 공식 웨이보를 통해 ”현재 매장 내 인파가 붐비고 주변 도로가 정체되어 있다. 코스트코 매장 방문을 희망하는 이들은 안전을 위해 혼잡시간대 방문을 피하고 소비에 있어 이성적인 태도를 유지하기를 바란다”라고 안내했다.

현지 경찰 공식 웨이보
현지 경찰 공식 웨이보 ⓒWeibo/警民直通车-闵行

첫날 예정된 폐점 시간보다 한참 이른 오후 1시에 문을 닫자 코스트코는 이를 해결할 방책을 고안했다. 매장 내 2천 명 이상 출입할 수 없도록 정원에 제한을 두는 것이다.

코스트코는 메신저 위챗을 통해 28일부터 ”고객의 안전과 긍정적인 쇼핑 경험을 위해” 매장 입장 인원을 2천 명으로 제한한다고 고지했다. 그러면서 ”최대 수용 정원에 가까워지거나 대기 시간이 길어질 경우 공지할 테니 방문 전 메시지를 확인해 달라”라고도 알렸다. 

중국 매장 역시 전 세계 여느 코스트코 매장과 같이 회원제로 운영된다. 연간 회원권은 299위안(5만원)으로, 미국(60달러, 7만2천원)보다는 저렴하고 한국(3만8천5백원)보다는 비싸다. 코스트코는 5년 전부터 온라인 매장을 운영해왔으나 오프라인 매장을 연 건 이번이 처음이다.

 

김태우 에디터: taewoo.kim@huffpost.kr

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