South Korea Posts 4.4 Percent Increase in Retail Sales
Combined revenue across major offline and online retailers climbed 4.4 percent last month compared to the same period in 2025, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy reported.
Online retailers led the charge, recording an 8.2 percent revenue increase as sales expanded across most product categories. Offline retailers, however, slipped 0.6 percent, weighed down by weakening consumer spending at discount outlets.
Consumer confidence also continued its upward trajectory. The composite consumer sentiment index (CCSI), which measures how households perceive the broader economic situation, edged up 1.3 points — rising from 110.8 in January to 112.1 in February — marking its second consecutive month of improvement.
In the digital marketplace, food purchases surged 7.7 percent year-on-year in January, while online sales of daily necessities jumped 9.6 percent. Demand for online services — spanning travel bookings, food delivery platforms, and e-coupon purchases — rose 2.1 percent, and home appliances, clothing, and cosmetics all posted double-digit gains.
Department stores saw a strong 13.4 percent revenue jump, largely driven by robust winter clothing demand. Discount outlets, however, recorded a steep 18.8 percent drop, as the Lunar New Year holidays shifted to February this year after falling in January last year — significantly disrupting seasonal shopping patterns.
Convenience stores posted modest growth of 0.8 percent, supported primarily by rising consumer interest in dessert items and ready-to-eat meal options.
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