SEOUL, Nov. 15 (Korea Bizwire) – In response to ongoing inflation, South Korean consumers are expected to evolve beyond simple cost-cutting measures to adopt more sophisticated “wiser wallets” spending patterns in the coming year, according to a new global consumer trends report. The “2025 Global Consumer Trends Report,” released on November 14 by global data analytics [...]
SEOUL, Oct. 11 (Korea Bizwire) — The Bank of Korea (BOK)’s first interest rate cut in 38 months highlighted the urgent need for South Korea to ease interest burdens on households and businesses to prop up sagging domestic demand despite concerns over rising home prices and household debts, experts said Friday. The BOK lowered its [...]
SEOUL, Oct. 2 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s consumer prices slowed to the lowest level in 3 1/2 years in September, falling below 2 percent for the first time since early 2021, data showed Wednesday. Consumer prices, a key gauge of inflation, rose 1.6 percent on-year last month, compared with a 2 percent increase a [...]
SEOUL, Sept. 18 (Korea Bizwire) — Excess funds held by South Korean households has fallen for eight quarters in a row amid high inflation and interest rates, data showed Wednesday. The monthly surplus of a local household came to 1.01 million won (US$753.3) per month on average in the second quarter, down 1.7 percent from [...]
SEOUL, Sept. 13 (Korea Bizwire) — The South Korean economy continues to show signs of recovery, driven by strong exports and manufacturing output, with consumer prices showing signs of stabilization, the finance ministry said Friday. The Ministry of Economy and Finance made the assessment in the Green Book, its monthly economic report, noting that domestic [...]
SEOUL, Sept. 6 (Korea Bizwire) – As inflation continues to squeeze household budgets, South Korean consumers are increasingly turning to budget-friendly options at convenience stores. CU, one of the country’s leading convenience store chains, reported a significant surge in sales of products priced under 1,000 won on September 5. The trend reflects a broader shift in [...]
SEOUL, Sept. 3 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s consumer prices slowed to the lowest level in nearly 3 1/2 years in August on easing prices of farm produce and global oil, data showed Tuesday. Consumer prices, a key gauge of inflation, rose 2 percent on-year last month, compared with a 2.6 percent on-year rise a [...]
SEOUL, Aug. 2 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s inflation picked up pace in July on high prices of fruits and petroleum products, though it stayed below 3 percent for the fourth consecutive month, data showed Friday. Consumer prices, a key gauge of inflation, rose 2.6 percent on-year last month, compared with a 2.4 percent increase [...]
SEOUL, Aug. 2 (Korea Bizwire) – The opening of a premium coffee shop in Seoul’s upscale Cheongdam-dong district has ignited controversy over luxury pricing in a time of high inflation, highlighting the growing economic disparities in South Korean society. Lotte Department Store introduced Bacha Coffee, a Moroccan luxury coffee brand, to South Korea on August 1. The [...]
SEOUL, Jul. 9 (Korea Bizwire) — The chief of the South Korean central bank said Tuesday the country is expected to see a gradual easing of inflation, while market volatility has grown amid high interest rates and political uncertainties in major nations. Bank of Korea (BOK) Gov. Rhee Chang-yong made the assessment during a parliamentary [...]