The Rise of Shared Shopping Among Single-Person Households in South Korea
Introduction
This report looks at the growth of 'sobun' meetings, a practice where people in South Korea organize to share the cost and distribution of bulk goods and food services.
Main Body
The 'sobun' trend involves strangers using digital platforms, such as the Karrot app, to split the cost and quantity of items that are too large for one person. These arrangements include various products, from flower arrangements to food brands like Yupdduk, which sell portions designed for groups. In some cases, such as with Costco, participants also coordinate transportation and schedules to get bulk discounts that would otherwise be too expensive or impractical for an individual. Experts claim that this shift is linked to the rapid increase in single-person households. According to December data from the Ministry of Data and Statistics, these households reached 8.05 million in 2024, making up 36.1% of the national total. The data shows that the largest groups are people aged 70 and above (19.8%), followed by those aged 29 and below (17.8%) and those between 30 and 39 (17.4%). Geographically, the highest percentages are found in Seoul, Daejeon, and Gangwon province. Furthermore, economic data suggests that the cost of basic goods is becoming a heavier financial burden. In 2025, the price index for 144 essential living items rose by 2.4%, which was higher than the general inflation rate of 2.1%. As a result, this is the fifth year in a row that the cost of basic necessities has grown faster than the overall economy, meaning the actual cost of living is increasing for most people.
Conclusion
The growth of these shared shopping meetings shows how South Koreans are adapting to the combined challenges of living alone and the rising cost of essential goods.