A model shows a promotional image for Homeplus Express' Instant Delivery service, April 15. Courtesy of Homeplus

Homeplus is promoting its Instant Delivery service for orders made in close proximity to its 310 local stores nationwide as the superstore chain has recently seen a rise in demand for its express delivery services, which sees products delivered in less than an hour, according to the company, Monday.

Homeplus Express makes instant deliveries to consumers within a 2.5-kilometer radius of a Homeplus store. If a delivery order is placed before 10 p.m., then the delivery is usually made within an hour as long as the destination is within the range.

Homeplus Express, now offered by 80 percent of Homeplus stores nationwide, has recently seen a surge in sales due to its Instant Delivery service.

The sales from April 2023 to this month jumped 60 percent from the previous year. One Homeplus store has seen a year-on-year sales increase of 310 percent.

Items that pushed Homeplus Express' sales up due to Instant Delivery were mainly common grocery items like meat, vegetables and fruit.

Precooked dishes, one of the company's trending products, saw their sales increase by 150 percent compared to the previous year. Alcohol such as whiskey, country-specialty liquors, mobile accessories and party props also contributed to the company's sales boost courtesy of the Instant Delivery service.

Most Instant Delivery orders were made between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., accounting for 30 percent of the company's sales via deliveries.

"With its fast delivery and variety of products, Homeplus Express is becoming the country's second-to-none shopping platform for local communities," a Homeplus official said. "We're seeing fast-changing trends in online the shopping environment and consumers' needs. Homeplus will keep following them with differentiated strategies."

Homeplus Express' growth comes as the country's online retail market is being swayed by Chinese platforms like AliExpress, Temu and Shein. The "c-commerce" is expanding its markets among local Koreans here with ultra-cheap prices and free delivery service, butting against local online shopping giants here like Coupang and E-Mart.

Amid the country's online shopping war, Homeplus said its Instant Delivery is its "exclusive edge."