Reporting and analysis on retail, e-commerce, and consumer trends in Korea, updated continuously by our newsroom.
Starbucks Korea opened its largest store yet in Seoul’s Jongno district today, in a move to solidify the brand’s already strong presence in an increasingly competitive market. The coffee shop, at Jongno Tower, covers 1097sqm on the first and second floors of…
Several popular Japanese kidult toy brands catering to adult consumers are set to open their first stores in South Korea. According to Hyundai I-Park Mall, the renovated kidult select shop Toys & Hobby at its Yongsan location will reopen tomorrow with some of…
North Korea’s sole 3G operator Koryolink may have shut down operations as a result of international sanctions over the nation’s ongoing nuclear testing. Koryolink’s owner, Egypt’s Orascom Telecom is preparing to withdraw from the company as it faces mounting…
South Korea’s Shinhan Bank said Monday it has completed the acquisition of Australia & New Zealand (ANZ) Banking Group’s retail business in Vietnam. The acquisition helps Shinhan Bank increase its assets in Vietnam to US$3.3 billion and its number of…
In a new headache for South Korean retail giant Lotte Group, its boss faces jail terms over bribery and other charges. Chairman Shin Dong-bin has been accused of giving KW7 billion (US$6.4 million) in bribes to a foundation run by former President Park…
Louis Vuitton has recently begun separating its men’s stores from women’s at major department stores in Korea. According to the French luxury brand on 11 December 2017, a Louis Vuitton store specializing in men’s fashion items was opened on the sixth floor of…
Chinese carmaker BAIC Motor Corp aims to stop selling own-branded conventional fuel-powered cars by 2025, said on Tuesday, amid a major push by Beijing to shift automakers toward electric and plug-in hybrid cars. BAIC, which also makes vehicles in partnership…
Handsome, the fashion unit of South Korean retailer Hyundai Department Store Group, has signed a deal to help accelerate its move into the Chinese consumer market. An agreement between its fashion label The Cashmere with Hong Kong’s…
A Line Friends pop-up will open at luxury speciality store BoonTheShop in Seoul on Saturday. Running until January 14, the Korean character brand’s outlet will introduce its latest merchandise, BT21. The range includes dolls, cushions, fashion items,…
Seoul will have one of six Chanel flagship stores being launched next year, with the brand also about to open in Beijing’s China World mall. “These will be either brand new stores or major re-openings, which will be very impactful,” says Chanel fashion and…
The cosmetics brand ‘Espoir’ introduced a new concept store ‘Make-up Pub’ reminiscent of draft beer house. Eespoir, a professional makeup brand, opened the first make-up pub concept store in Hongdae in November under the concept of Lively, Free like a lounge…
An idol group “Seventeen” was recently selected as a cosmetic model for another brand. The cosmetic brand ‘TheSaem’ said it has chosen the idol “Seventeen” as a new global eco-star. Seventeen will be working on a variety of product lines including the Global…
The political tension between Seoul and Beijing has eased after a summit between the two leaders during the APEC Summit, but K-beauty companies are diversifying their overseas operations instead of returning to the Chinese market. Supermarket chain E-mart…
Choosing the right padded jacket — this winter’s ‘it’ item — is a much more complicated task than one may think. It is not just design and color, but the type of insulation also has to be decided — goose, duck or synthetic materials, as well as their…
SK-II opens a pop-up store of 2017 PITERA Essence Change Destiny Limited Edition at the Seocho-gu Central City Famille Station in Seoul for the holiday season. This pop-up store is designed with a variety of experience spaces and a wide range of enjoyment…
Health and beauty stores are rapidly expanding their footprint in Korea as the sector remains one of few lucrative realms in the local retail industry. CJ Olive Networks will soon open its 1,000th Olive Young store 18 years after starting the business. This…
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