South Korea’s online shopping keeps double-digit growth
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Online shopping in South Korea maintained a double-digit monthly growth as consumers increasingly prefer purchases online rather offline amid widespread penetration of smartphones, a government report showed Monday.
Combined retail sales, including those online and offline, reached 29.18 trillion won (25.46 billion U.S. dollars) in February, up 2.9 percent from a year earlier, according to Statistics Korea.
Online shopping jumped 22.7 percent from a year earlier to 4.69 trillion won in February, while mobile shopping through smartphones surged 54.0 percent to 2.39 trillion won.
The figures showed consumers preferring purchases in cyberspace to visiting offline stores in one of the world’s most Internet-connected country.
In 2015 when the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outbreak weighed down on South Korea’s private consumption, online shopping posted a double-digit monthly growth. Mobile shopping through smartphones surged more than 40 percent every month last year.
In February, online sales of bags, cosmetics, furniture and leisure items recorded a double-digit increase compared with a year earlier.
Main items purchased through mobile phones in February were baby products, shoes, clothing and cosmetics, which accounted for about two thirds of total mobile shopping in February.
Questions & Answers
Q.What was the total retail sales figure for South Korea in February?
What was the total retail sales figure for South Korea in February?
Combined online and offline retail sales in February reached 29.18 trillion won (25.46 billion U.S. Dollars). This represents a 2.9 percent increase compared to the previous year.
Q.How significantly did online shopping grow in South Korea during February?
How significantly did online shopping grow in South Korea during February?
Online shopping in February saw a substantial increase of 22.7 percent from the previous year, reaching 4.69 trillion won. This highlights a clear consumer preference for online purchases over offline stores.
Q.Which product categories saw significant online sales increases in February?
Which product categories saw significant online sales increases in February?
In February, online sales of bags, cosmetics, furniture, and leisure items all recorded double-digit increases compared to a year earlier. Baby products, shoes, clothing, and cosmetics were key mobile purchases.
Q.Did mobile shopping show particularly strong growth in February?
Did mobile shopping show particularly strong growth in February?
Yes, mobile shopping through smartphones surged by 54.0 percent in February, reaching 2.39 trillion won. Last year, mobile shopping consistently grew by over 40 percent every month.
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