S Korea’s retail sales up in Sept

XINHUA, SEOUL: Retail sales in South Korea rose last month thanks to strong online sales, a government report showed yesterday.

Revenue among major retailers increased 8.4 per cent in September from a year earlier, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. It was based on a survey of sales by 13 online and 13 offline retailers.

Online sales surged 22.8 per cent, leading the overall recovery in private consumption. Offline sales rose 2.6 per cent last month.

Direct sales by online retailers soared 46.2 per cent, with those by online brokers growing 14.7 per cent.

In the offline sector, sales by department stores increased 4.9 per cent, with those by convenient stores gaining 12.1 per cent. Sales by major discount outlets dropped 4.9 per cent last month.

Convenient store sales kept a double-digit expansion on robust demand for food and beverage, including imported beer and convenience food. The number of convenient stores jumped 14.7 per cent nationwide last month.

Discount outlet sales retreated on weak demand for miscellaneous items and housewares.

S Koreas retail sales up in Sept

XINHUA, SEOUL: Retail sales in South Korea rose last month thanks to strong online sales, a government report showed yesterday. Revenue among major retailers increased 8.4 per cent in September from a year earlier, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. It was based on a survey of sales by 13 online and 13 offline retailers. Online sales surged 22.8 per cent, leading the overall recovery in private consumption. Offline sales rose 2.6 per cent last month. Direct sales by online retailers soared 46.2 per cent, with those by online brokers growing 14.7 per cent. In the offline sector, sales by department stores increased 4.9 per cent, with those by convenient stores gaining 12.1 per cent. Sales by major discount outlets dropped 4.9 per cent last month. Convenient store sales kept a double-digit expansion on robust demand for food and beverage, including imported beer and convenience food. The number of convenient stores jumped 14.7 per cent nationwide last month. Discount outlet sales retreated on weak demand for miscellaneous items and housewares.