Skip to content
General

South Korea April department store sales barely rise

By Wei ZhangKorea
1 min read
seoul south korea ecommerce online retail digital
seoul south korea ecommerce online retail digital
In this article (5)

May 27 Sales at top South Korean department stores rose 1.3 percent in April from a year earlier, revised government data showed on Wednesday, turning from a fall in March but slightly weaker than a recent estimate. It was compared to a preliminary 1.5 percent gain estimate by the finance ministry early this month and a 5.7 percent fall in March.

The sales data from department stores run by Hyundai Department Store, Lotte Shopping and Shinsegae Co is a useful guide on retail sales trends in Asia’s fourth-largest economy.

The same industry ministry data showed annual sales at discount stores held steady in April from a year earlier, slightly better than a 0.2 percent fall previously estimated.

Questions & Answers

Q.

What was the initial prediction for South Korean department store sales in April?

A.

The finance ministry initially estimated a 1.5 percent gain for April sales. This preliminary estimate was slightly higher than the revised figure for the month.

Q.

How did April's department store sales compare to the previous month, March?

A.

April's department store sales rose by 1.3 percent, a turnaround from March when sales experienced a 5.7 percent fall. This indicates a recovery in the sector.

Q.

Which specific companies' sales data contributes to this report on department store trends?

A.

The sales data used as a guide for retail trends comes from department stores operated by Hyundai Department Store, Lotte Shopping, and Shinsegae Co. These are major players in the market.

Q.

What was the performance of discount stores in South Korea during April?

A.

Annual sales at discount stores remained steady in April compared to the previous year. This performance was slightly better than a previously estimated fall of 0.2 percent.

Reader pulse

Is South Korea's retail outlook improving?

17,880 votes so far

Weekly Briefing

Asia's retail intelligence, in your inbox

Tuesday, Thursday and a Saturday Weekly Wrap: the retail stories, numbers and moves that mattered across Asia. Nothing else, and you can unsubscribe in one click.

  • Top industry moves and market shifts
  • Weekly data-driven analysis from across Asia
  • Tuesday, Thursday and the Saturday Weekly Wrap

Read by retail operators, investors and brand teams across Asia.

Protected by a quick human check. No spam, ever. Unsubscribe in one click.

SecureGDPR ready