SEOUL, Feb. 24 (Korea Bizwire) — With persistent high inflation straining consumer budgets, “off-price” retail (OPR) stores in South Korea are experiencing rapid growth, enticing customers with premium brand clothing at discounts of up to 90%. Originally emerging in early 20th-century America, off-price retail involves purchasing surplus or past-season items directly from brand owners and [...]
SEOUL, Feb. 11 (Korea Bizwire) — With permanent makeup and tattoos become increasingly mainstream in South Korea, lawmakers and health authorities are facing mounting pressure to establish safety and hygiene regulations for an industry that technically remains illegal under current law, according to a National Assembly report released on February 10. The National Assembly Research Service’s [...]
SEOUL, Feb. 4 (Korea Bizwire) - CJ Olive Young Corp., the distribution unit of South Korean food-to-cosmetics conglomerate CJ Group, said Tuesday it has set up a business entity in the United States as part of its expansion strategy. CJ Olive Young has recently established CJ Olive Young USA in Los Angeles to expand its presence [...]
SEOUL, Feb. 4 (Korea Bizwire) — The era of predawn queues for luxury goods appears to be waning among South Korea’s young consumers, who are increasingly turning to budget-friendly alternatives known as “dupes” — affordable replicas of high-end products. The term “dupe,” derived from “duplicate,” refers to cost-effective substitutes for luxury or premium items. According to [...]
SEOUL, Feb. 3 (Korea Bizwire) — Fashion and apparel companies are increasingly leveraging short-form videos to tell brand stories and boost marketing efforts, industry sources reported on February 2. Major fashion brands and platforms are expanding their YouTube presence and video content offerings on their platforms, responding to the preferences of their primary customer base – [...]
SEOUL, Jan. 31 (Korea Bizwire) — Seoul Fashion Week, marking its 25th anniversary, will kick off at Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) on February 5, offering the first glimpse of upcoming fall and winter fashion trends for 2025. The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced five key highlights for this year’s event: an expanded designer lineup and presentations, the [...]
SEOUL, Jan. 30 (Korea Bizwire) — In a significant shift within South Korea’s beauty industry, “inner beauty” supplements are gaining momentum as the next frontier of K-beauty, marking a transition from traditional cosmetics to ingestible beauty products. According to industry sources, the inner beauty segment is experiencing rapid growth, driven by increasing consumer interest in holistic health [...]
SEOUL, Jan. 29 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s fashion and beauty industries are gaining significant traction in Japan, driven by the global popularity of K-pop and Korean dramas. Industry players are leveraging this momentum with targeted efforts to expand their presence in the Japanese market. Leading the charge, companies like Musinsa, CJ Olive Young, and department [...]
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. 14 (Korea Bizwire) — In response to the growing trend of direct overseas purchases of cosmetics through international online platforms, South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) announced on Monday, that it will strengthen safety regulations to prevent consumer harm. This initiative will be carried out in collaboration with the Korea [...]