Why did Korea’s retail sales rise 6.4 percent in July?

The increase was driven by higher demand for delivery services and travel-related products during the summer vacation season. Stronger demand for popular imported fashion brands also supported the overall gain.

How did department stores and convenience stores perform in July?

Offline retail sales rose 3.2 percent, led mainly by department stores and convenience stores. Department store sales jumped 17.9 percent across several product categories, while convenience store sales rose 1.1 percent despite fewer visitors because spending per customer increased.

What role did online shopping play in July retail sales?

Online sales rose 8.5 percent, led by food delivery services, groceries, and home appliances. Online platforms made up 60.8 percent of total retail sales in July, showing their dominant share of the market.

Retail sales rise 6.4% in July spurred by vacation season spending

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Summary

Korea’s retail sales increased 6.4 percent from a year earlier in July, driven by stronger demand during the summer vacation season. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources said delivery services, travel-related products, and imported fashion brands helped lift sales. Offline retailers rose 3.2 percent, while online sales jumped 8.5 percent and accounted for 60.8 percent of total retail sales.

Key Facts

Department stores and convenience stores both extended their on-year sales gains to 13 straight months.
Department store sales rose 17.9 percent, with gains across imported fashion brands, vacation goods, and air conditioning products.
Convenience store sales increased 1.1 percent even though visitor numbers declined, because spending per customer rose.
Online sales climbed 8.5 percent, led by food delivery services and purchases of groceries and home appliances.

By Yonhap

Published Aug 26, 2026 11:07 am KST

Shoppers visit a department store in Seoul, Aug. 17. Yonhap

Sales at major retailers gained ground in July from a year earlier, data showed Wednesday, following higher demand for delivery services and travel-related products amid the summer vacation season.

Korea's retail sales increased 6.4 percent from a year earlier, also driven by stronger demand for popular imported fashion brands, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources.

Offline retailers reported a 3.2 percent increase in sales, led mainly by department stores and convenience stores, which both extended on-year gains to 13 straight months.

The industry ministry said sales improved across all product categories at department stores, ranging from imported fashion brands and vacation goods to air conditioning products, with overall sales rising 17.9 percent.

Sales at convenience stores also rose 1.1 percent despite a decline in the number of visitors, as spending per customer increased.

The report showed online sales jumped 8.5 percent, led by food delivery services, as well as purchases of groceries and home appliances.

Online platforms accounted for 60.8 percent of total retail sales in July.

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