Koreans Embrace Mobile Shopping
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The total value of purchases made through mobile phones hit a record in November 2015.
According data from Statistics Korea on Monday, the amount of mobile transactions surged 52.3 percent on year to W2.44 trillion (US$1=W1,190).
That is almost half of the total online purchases in November, which also hit a record of W4.97 trillion, up 19.5 percent compared to the same month of 2014.
Online purchases accounted for 15.4 percent of total retail sales.
By product, purchases of office supplies and stationery surged 132.7 percent and 138 percent, respectively, perhaps ironically using new-generation technology to pay for the products it is gradually replacing.
Sales of cosmetics and groceries also surged 38.2 percent and 35.4 percent.
By retail sector, sales at convenience stores rose 33.8 percent compared to the average 4.2-percent rise in overall retail sales, while sales at supermarkets and department stores more or less stagnated.
Questions & Answers
Q.What was the total value of mobile transactions in Korea for November 2015?
What was the total value of mobile transactions in Korea for November 2015?
Mobile transactions reached W2.44 trillion in November 2015, marking a record high. This figure represented a 52.3 percent increase compared to the previous year, highlighting significant growth in mobile purchasing behaviour.
Q.How much of the total online purchases in November 2015 did mobile transactions account for?
How much of the total online purchases in November 2015 did mobile transactions account for?
Mobile transactions made up almost half of the total online purchases in November 2015. The overall online purchases hit a record W4.97 trillion, showing that mobile platforms are a dominant channel for Korean consumers.
Q.Which product categories saw the largest percentage increases in purchases?
Which product categories saw the largest percentage increases in purchases?
Purchases of office supplies and stationery experienced the largest surges, increasing by 132.7 percent and 138 percent respectively. Cosmetics and groceries also saw substantial growth in sales, up 38.2 percent and 35.4 percent.