Nationwide discount events spice up Chuseok holiday

Shoppers pass stores in Myeong-dong, a shopping district in central Seoul, Thursday. The district is a major part of the Korea Sale Festa that will continue through Oct. 31. / Yonhap

By Chyung Eun-ju

Chuseok is one of the best times of the year to go shopping, with the Korea Sale Festa offering plenty of bargain opportunities.

The event runs from Sept. 28 to Oct. 31, in the hope it will boost domestic demand with the Korean retail industry struggling from a sharp drop in Chinese tourists amid Beijing’s economic sanctions over the deployment of THAAD.

The government has spent 5.1 billion won ($4,450,000) on the sale.

Korea’s global shopping festival, which overlaps Korea’s Thanksgiving holiday for 10 days, features big discounts and cultural events customized for foreigners.

Around 350 companies are participating, offering discounts of up to 80 percent. Transport, shopping, admission to tourist attractions, and restaurants will all have promotional events.

More than 500 traditional markets are also involved.

Department stores

The three big department stores, Lotte, Hyundai and Shinsegae are offering up to 80 percent discount and various cultural events for foreigners. Lotte Department Store has set up a hanbok photo zone for foreigners to try on hanbok for free.

The department stores are also offering special vouchers and raffles.

Marts

Lotte Mart, Homeplus, E-mart, among the marts offering up to 50 percent discount on products. Lottery scratch cards events give consumers a chance to win a luxury package trip.

Vehicles

National companies such as Hyundai Motor and Renault Samsung Motors are offering discounts up to 12 percent. Cars will sell at up to 12 percent discount while commercial vehicles will be discounted by up to 16 percent.

Restaurants

Fifty major Korean restaurants will lower their prices by up to 20 percent during a ‘Korea Gourmet’ event that runs from Sept. 28 to Oct. 15.

Premium Korean restaurants such as Gotgan in Yeongdeongpo-gu, The Lounge in Gangnam-gu, and Moi in Hannam-dong, among others will be participating.

A full list can be found in https://www.koreasalefesta.kr/en/gourmet/.

Transport

Airlines and airport express services are providing special prices. Asiana Airlines is offering up to 55 percent discount for inbound flights, Jeju Air is offering 89 percent discount and Jin Air is offering 80 percent discount. The Airport Railroad is offering around 19 percent discount.

Foreign tourists will be offered a multi-purpose transit card that offers discounts on metro and bus fares.

Tourist attractions

Nineteen cultural centers are participating in the event offering discounts and 1+1 offers.

Jeongdong Theater is offering 80 percent discount for tickets and a free program. Lotte World is giving one free slice of pizza along with a 30 percent discount for admission.

Students stand under a promotional structure for the Korea Sale Festa in Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul, Thursday. / Yonhap

For foreigners outside Korea, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy is hosting an online special discount event, called Korea Online Hot Sale from Sept 28 to Oct. 31.

Eight major global shopping malls in Korea and 28 popular local shopping malls from 18 countries are participating to promote quality Korean products.

The online shopping service will be provided in English, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, and Indonesian.

More information can be found on the ‘Korea Sale Festa’ Homepage (https://www.koreasalefesta.kr/en/).