Sales at discount outlets, department stores surge in Jan.

Sales at the nation's major discount outlets and department stores surged in January, mainly due to a rise in consumer demand ahead of the Lunar New Year's holiday, a government report showed Thursday.

Total sales at the three leading discount outlets shot up 21.4 percent on-year last month, compared with a 2.9 percent gain from the previous month, the Ministry of Knowledge Economy said.

Department store sales also jumped 24 percent on-year, marking the fourth straight month of double-digit gains.

The ministry, which is in charge of industry and commerce, said the sharp increase had been expected since the three-day Lunar New Year's holiday in early February triggered demand for various goods last month.

The traditional holiday usually spurs consumption as people prepare special foods and buy gifts for family members, friends and associates. The ministry also said that unseasonably cold weather prompted consumers to buy more winter-related goods at stores.

The monthly report said sales at large discount outlets were fueled by a 30.6 percent increase in groceries that accounted for 57.8 percent of all purchases last month.

Miscellaneous, household and clothing sales were all up by more than 15 percent on-year in the cited month, although figures for electronics dipped 2 percent.

At department stores, sales of luxury goods soared 31.8 percent with groceries expanding 69.1 percent compared to January 2010.

The latest report said that on average a shopper spent 52,277 won ($43.6) per trip to a discount store last month, while a person bought 84,913 worth of goods when visiting a department store. (Yonhap)