Couples trade prophylactics for promise of ’lucky’ baby
Condom sales have plummeted since the new year. The reason? Blame it on the golden pig. South Korean couples are aiming to have a child in 2007, or the Year of the Golden Pig, which is supposed to be an auspicious period that will bring wealth to their offspring - and, of course, mom and dad, too. On January 22, discount store chain E-Mart said its condom sales have fallen from mid-December, compared with a 5-percent growth during the same period a year ago. For the first 21 days of January, sales of condoms fell 15 percent. Sales of condoms at GS Mart and GS25 also fell 8 percent and 14.5 percent, respectively, over the same period. In an equally suspicious contrast, sales of personal hygeine products have risen sharply since the start of the new year. Oral hygeine products, body cleansers and shampoos have been moving off the shelves at GS Mart at rates 12.1 percent, 10.7 percent, and 9.6 percent higher, respectively, than the same rates a month prior.Retail industry officials see falling sales of condoms at discount stores as a sign of efforts of couples to have a baby this year. Gang In-seok, an official of GS Mart, said, "Falling sales of condoms may be because of pregnancy plans by couples who want to have a baby before the end of the Year of the Golden Pig." Please direct questions or comments to [englishhani@hani.co.kr]
