Bo-eun leads the digital content team. She has covered foreign affairs, North Korea, tech, economy and gender issues at The Korea Times. She did a short stint at the South China Morning Post in Hong Kong, where she obtained a new perspective on news production and life. Small sources of joy for her are lounging in the sun, having a good latte and swimming.
Mini cooler sales soaring
/ Courtesy of G9
By Kim Bo-eun
Sales of mini cooling appliances have surged because of early hot weather, especially to one and two-people households.
According to G9, a curation commerce site of online retailer Gmarket, sales of the appliances to those in their 20s and 30s rose more than twofold in the past two weeks compared with the same period last year. Overall sales of portable fans, mini fans and air purifiers have jumped 416 percent.
The retailer believes this is because the products are suitable for smaller households as they save space and have low maintenance costs.
A recent survey showed that half the households in Seoul have one or two people.
"Small households comprised of one or two persons, and the 20s to 30s age group, are becoming major consumers of summer appliances," a G9 official said. "Portable appliances, in particular, are expected to be a hit.”