This file photo taken Aug. 6, 2023 shows people visiting a shopping mall in southern Seoul. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Aug. 22 (Korea Bizwire) — With the relentless summer heat persisting, there has been a rapid surge in the number of people frequenting indoor shopping venues.
During the period from Aug. 1 to 15, Hyundai Department Store observed a 13 percent increase in sales across its 16 stores nationwide compared to the previous year.
The number of visitors also exhibited a noteworthy year-on-year growth rate of 14 percent.
Of particular significance was the upswing in sales between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., coinciding with sunset, where sales escalated by 22.7 percent year on year, and visitor numbers escalated by 26.1 percent.
In contrast, visitor counts during the typically high-sales hours at department stores, spanning from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., saw a decline of 3 percent.
Sales at the department store chain’s eateries and cafes also ascended by 18 percent, driven by a 27 percent upsurge in sales after 6 p.m.
The trend was attributed by the company to a shift in customer shopping behavior, with more patrons opting to visit department stores in the evening to evade the heat.
Additionally, working individuals are now frequenting department stores on their way home from work, catering to their dinner needs as well.
Similarly, Lotte Department Store and Lotte Outlet saw a 5 percent increase in their sales during the same period.
Particularly noteworthy is the visitor count at Lotte World Mall in southern Seoul, which soared by 20 percent, surpassing 2.6 million compared to the previous year.
Lotte Department Store’s Jamsil outlet, located adjacent to Lotte World Mall, also enjoyed a 20 percent growth in sales.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
