On November 1, Lotte Department Store, Shinsegae Department Store, and Hyundai Department Store unveiled their Christmas decorations. (From left to right: the Christmas décor adorning the exterior walls of Lotte Department Store’s main branch in Jung-gu, Seoul; the “Moving Grand Theater” Christmas-themed village installed at The Hyundai Seoul in Yeouido; and the Christmas signage video displayed on the main billboard of Shinsegae Department Store’s main building at Myeongdong Square.) (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Nov. 23 (Korea Bizwire) – As Seoul’s major department stores unveil their elaborate Christmas decorations, demand for nearby parking has surged, according to car-sharing platform Socar.
Between November 1 and 20, parking ticket transactions near five major department stores within 500 meters surpassed the total for all of November last year, with viewership of parking ticket listings increasing by 84%.
The stores include Shinsegae’s flagship store in Myeongdong, Lotte’s main branch in Sogong-dong, The Hyundai Seoul in Yeouido, and Hyundai Department Store’s Apgujeong and Trade Center branches.
While Lotte World Mall in Jamsil began operating its Christmas market on November 20, it was excluded from the analysis.
The year-end parking demand spike is even more pronounced in comparison to previous years. During November and December of 2023, parking ticket searches near six department stores, including Lotte World Mall, increased more than 13-fold year-on-year, with transaction values up by 109%.
Notably, three of the five most-sold parking tickets in the area during the 2023 holiday season catered to nighttime parking, such as weekend and late-night passes. At Lotte’s and Shinsegae’s flagship locations, weekend night parking ticket transactions rose by 458% compared to the prior two months.
“Outdoor decorations attract visitors who don’t necessarily enter the stores, and as crowds grow, people seek faster and cheaper parking solutions nearby,” a Socar representative explained.
The Christmas display rivalry among Shinsegae, Lotte, and Hyundai department stores has turned their exteriors into must-visit photo spots. These installations drive significant foot traffic, showcasing the stores’ ability to create a compelling draw beyond shopping.
This year, Lotte’s flagship store in Sogong-dong evokes the glamour of 1900s Broadway with neon-lit exteriors reminiscent of historic theater districts. Shinsegae’s Myeongdong branch dazzles with a media façade themed “Moments of Christmas.” Meanwhile, The Hyundai Seoul in Yeouido offers a whimsical European circus village display at its fifth-floor Sounds Forest, themed “Moving Grand Theater.”
The festive competition not only brings seasonal cheer but also cements these department stores as cultural and visual landmarks during the holiday season.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
