SEOUL, Jan. 28 (Korea Bizwire) — The number of pets traveling on Korean Air flights has more than doubled over the past four years, reflecting the growing demand for pet-friendly travel. According to Korean Air, the total number of applications for pet transport—both as in-cabin companions and as checked baggage—reached 57,595 in 2024, a 12.6% increase [...]
SEOUL, Jan. 28 (Korea Bizwire) — Investors are pouring a large amount of money into funds that invest in U.S. stocks on hopes that President Donald Trump’s “America First” policy would help further boost the U.S. stock market, data showed Tuesday. According to the data from market tracker FnGuide, 167 funds that invest in U.S. [...]
SEOUL, Jan. 28 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s three major department store chains said Tuesday their luxury goods sales continued to rise last year on steady demand for premium products despite an economic slowdown. Luxury goods sales at Lotte, Shinsegae and Hyundai department stores sharply increased during the 2020-2022 period when people were engaged in “revenge [...]
SEOUL, Jan. 28 (Korea Bizwire) — Once a cornerstone of youth culture in South Korea, PC cafés—known locally as “PC bangs”—are vanishing at an accelerating rate. According to the National Tax Service’s statistical portal, the number of PC cafés nationwide stood at 7,280 as of October 2024, a sharp 7.6% drop from the 7,858 recorded a [...]
SEOUL, Jan. 27 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s luxury department stores are increasingly reliant on high-spending VIP customers, with their contribution to total sales surpassing 50% at some retailers in 2024, reflecting a growing polarization in consumer behavior amid economic challenges. According to industry data released on January 26, VIP customers accounted for 51% of sales [...]
SEOUL, Jan. 27 (Korea Bizwire) — As South Koreans prepare for what will be an unprecedented nine-day Lunar New Year holiday for some, an unusual employment trend is emerging: a sharp increase in short-term jobs caring for pets, from feeding fish to walking dogs. According to the online community marketplace Karrot Market, pet-related job postings have [...]
SEOUL, Jan. 27 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s e-commerce sector saw a challenging 2024, with economic pressures leading to reduced consumer spending across platforms. Despite these headwinds and competition from Chinese e-commerce players like AliExpress and Temu, Coupang and SSG.com maintained strong customer loyalty, according to data released on January 26 by analytics firm IGAWorks. SSG.com [...]
SEOUL, Jan. 25 (Korea Bizwire) — Brandy Melville, a fashion brand known for its “one-size” policy, has ignited intense debate in South Korea following the opening of its first store in Seoul’s Seongdong District. The brand’s exclusive sizing, which caters primarily to petite frames (XS-S), has drawn both fascination and backlash as consumers grapple with its [...]
SEOUL, Jan. 24 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s domestic auto market saw its weakest performance in over a decade in 2024, with new car sales hitting their lowest level since 2013, according to a report released by the Korea Automobile & Mobility Industry Association (KAMA) on Thursday. The report revealed that 1.635 million new vehicles were [...]
SEOUL, Jan. 24 (Korea Bizwire) — A stark gender divide exists among South Korean teenagers regarding dating expenses, with young women overwhelmingly favoring equal cost-sharing while young men show more traditional views, according to a lifestyle report released by Woori Bank on January 23. The “Teens’ Diary” report, which surveyed 3,729 teenagers aged 14-18 nationwide, revealed [...]