South Korea’s retail sales grew 3.3 percent year over year in August on the back of higher sales in convenience stores super super market (SSM) operators, and online cosmetics and food retailers.
The Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy (MOTIE) surveyed 13 brick-and-mortar retailers and 12 online retailers and saw a 7.6 percent increase in convenience stores sales due to close proximity, small purchase shopping, and increased outdoor activities during the summer holiday season.
SSM operators reported a 3.2 percent increase due to higher demand for fresh/prepared food products and processed food products, however, flagging a sales decline in daily necessities.
Overall online sales during the month increased 8.1 percent, thanks to sales in cosmetics and food, which grew 14.1 percent and 13.0 percent, respectively. Online home/living sector grew 8.7 percent, while online services sold jumped 13.3 percent.
Overall brick-and-mortar hypermarket sales fell 8.4 percent as home/living and food sales dropped 12.8 percent and 7.9 percent, respectively, due to slow demand for gift sets, and fresh and processed food products.
Total department store sales 4.9 percent as food products, foreign designer labels and men’s clothing sold declined.
The data also noted a 2 percent decrease in fashion/clothing sales and 5.6 percent decline in sports sales as consumers cut purchases of non-essential items amid lower consumer sentiment.