Homeplus, a leading South Korean grocery retailer, has begun selling sanitary pads at a remarkable price of 99 won each, making it the first large supermarket to introduce such low-cost options. This move comes in the wake of President Yoon Suk-yeol's comments earlier this year criticizing the high prices of sanitary products, which have come under scrutiny as a significant issue for consumers. The low-priced sanitary pads, marketed under the brand 'Sally's Law Needs One', are entirely produced in South Korea and were first made available for sale on February 28. Each package contains 14 pads, totaling 1380 won, which breaks down to about 98.57 won per pad, with consumers limited to purchasing five packages each.

The introduction of these affordable sanitary pads is part of a broader effort following the price controversy that gained momentum after President Yoon's remarks in January. Other retailers, including Coupang and Daiso, have also announced their plans to sell ultra-low-cost sanitary pads, with Coupang already launching a private brand option for 99 won in February, and Daiso expected to debut a similar product in May. The emergence of these low-cost alternatives suggests a significant shift in the market dynamics, which have been historically dominated by established brands like Kimberly-Clark and LG Household & Health Care, who are now contemplating expanding their own budget product lines to remain competitive.

Homeplus' initiative highlights the ongoing efforts by retailers to respond to consumer demand for more affordable hygiene products, particularly amid rising living costs. The buyer for sanitary products at Homeplus, Kim Sung-yoon, stated that this move was driven by a commitment to customer satisfaction despite the challenges faced by the company during these trying times. Furthermore, the anticipated release of additional budget sanitary pad brands later this month indicates a growing trend towards providing consumers with more options in their purchasing decisions.