Reporting and analysis on retail, e-commerce, and consumer trends in Korea, updated continuously by our newsroom.
Lotte Mart began selling menstrual cups at its online and brick-and-mortar stores today. The discount chain will sell two variations of “WithCup” in two different sizes, both priced at 39,000 won ($36.21). WithCup was the first menstrual cup made in Korea to…
The Supreme Court dismissed Amorepacific’s patent on cushion compacts, putting an end to a three-year legal battle, according to the company on Tuesday. Amorepacific appealed a Patent Court of Korea ruling in February that invalidated the company’s patent for…
SK Telecom invested 10 billion won ($9.2 million) in mobile video content provider Make Us, the company said Monday. Local start-up Make Us creates video clips related to various categories including music, food, travel and beauty and distributes them through…
Among the foreign luxury brands filling the eyewear section at local duty-free shops and department stores, the Korean-based brand Gentle Monster stands out. Getting its initial fame among the Korean public as “Jun Ji-hyun sunglasses” after the actress wore a…
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy has been investigating a Korean company over technology leakage overseas at the request of Samsung Electronics, sources said on Monday. The probe into KIP, a private company belonging to the Korea Advanced Institute…
Innisfree Australia has opened its first outlet, inside Melbourne Central shopping complex. This is Amorepacific’s second foray to promote its Korean cosmetics brand in Australia after Laneige launched in March. The company also expanded its Etude House brand…
Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group announced Monday that it will expand partnerships with Korean brands in line with a Chinese government initiative to increase imports over the next few years. “During international forums such as Davos or Boao, President…
Korea is now one of the top beauty product exporters to the European Union, surpassing Japan to take the No. 5 spot in terms of value. According to a report released by the International Trade Association on 5 June, Korea exported 135 million euros (US$158…
Owner/MD of the Italian winery and distillery bearing her family name attended the official inaugural event of the Bottega Lounge in Seoul’s Gangnam-Gu. Opened in collaboration with a local partner, the lounge offers Italian Prosecco, Amarone della…
The Nature Republic flagship store in Myeongdong, Seoul, has been named the most expensive commercial property in South Korea for the 15th consecutive year. According to data released by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT), the official…
Starbucks Korea has launched automatic payment drive-through locations, using DT Pass technology. To use the service, customers need to have a Starbucks online account with a rechargeable membership card, and register their car licence plate. A DT Pass device…
Samsung again tops Asia’s Top 1000 Brands list, produced by Campaign Asia-Pacific and Nielsen. In its 15th year, the list again has Apple at second place. Rounding out the top 10 are Panasonic (up two spots), Sony (down one place), Nestle (down one), LG,…
Shinsegae Department Store will open a Gucci Man and Dior homme in June and July. Lotte Department Store is also promoting ‘Louis Vuitton Man’ and ‘Gucci Man’ in line with the reorganization of stores this fall. Korean retailers are actively targeting men’s…
Shinsegae Duty Free and The Shilla Duty Free will fight out the contest for two Incheon International Airport Terminal 1 duty free contracts on offer, despite rival Lotte Duty Free tabling the highest bids in each case. The tenders followed incumbent Lotte…
BGF, owner of Korean c-store chain CU, has boosted its stake in online grocery business Hello Nature. Founded in 2012, Hello Nature offers compact packaged-grocery deliveries. It was bought by SK Planet in 2016. Its sales reached US$9 million last year.…
Two Korean cosmetics brands Nature Republic and Etude House have opened their first outlets in Saudi Arabia. Nature Republic has signed an agreement with local retailer Fawaz Alhokair to open the first store in the capital city of Riyadh, the first of up to…
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