SEOUL, April 24, (Korea Bizwire) — Rising life expectancy in South Korea is contributing to a notable decline in consumer spending, as more individuals prioritize saving for retirement over immediate consumption, according to a new report released on April 23, 2025, by the Korea Development Institute (KDI). The report, titled “The Impact of Demographic Factors [...]
SEOUL, March 18 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s middle class continues to experience a prolonged decline in consumer spending, even as low- and high-income groups show signs of recovery, according to a new report from the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) released Monday. The study, titled “Recent Consumption Trends and Implications,” analyzed real [...]
SEOUL, March 3 (Korea Bizwire) — Once a haven for budget-conscious shoppers and vintage fashion enthusiasts, South Korea’s secondhand clothing markets are now feeling the strain of high inflation and shifting consumer habits. Vendors at Dongmyo Flea Market, one of Seoul’s most famous thrift-shopping destinations, report a sharp drop in sales, with some saying business [...]
SEOUL, Jan. 10 (Korea Bizwire) — Seoul residents aged 50 and above have significantly increased their spending over the past five years, while consumption among those in their 40s has remained flat or declined in many sectors, according to a recent study. According to a research report released on January 9 by the Seoul 50 Plus [...]
SEOUL, Jul. 4 (Korea Bizwire) — Combined investment made by the South Korean aviation industry to ensure safe air travel rose 38 percent on-year in 2023 to reach over 5.8 trillion won (US$4.18 billion), government data showed Thursday. According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the combined spending on air travel safety by [...]
SEOUL, Mar. 26 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s consumer sentiment snapped an improvement for the third consecutive month in March amid soaring prices of farm goods and a slump in private spending, a central bank poll showed Tuesday. The composite consumer sentiment index stood at 100.7 this month, down from 101.9 the previous month, according [...]
SEOUL, Mar. 14 (Korea Bizwire) — Spending on private education for South Korean students reached an all-time high in 2023 despite the fall in the student population, data showed Thursday. Total expenses on private after-school classes for primary, middle and high school students stood at 27.1 trillion won (US$20.6 billion) last year, reaching a record [...]
SEOUL, Mar. 12 (Korea Bizwire) – Two years into the era of high inflation, elusive price increases led by fruits and vegetables such as apples, pears, and green onions continue to burden consumers. Following the hike in gasoline and the cost of eating out in previous years, the soaring prices of everyday food items have become [...]
SEOUL, Jan. 23 (Korea Bizwire) — The aggregate spending of South Koreans in Japan skyrocketed to a staggering 13 trillion won last year, as travel to Japan surged in popularity. This trend is attributed to the easing of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and a weak Japanese yen, which has reduced the cost of spending in Japan. Travel [...]
SEOUL, Dec. 28 (Korea Bizwire) – In the face of persistent high inflation and interest rates, South Korean consumers have been navigating the economic landscape with markedly polarized spending habits. This trend, underscored by recent studies from Lotte Home Shopping and WiseApp, reveals a complex interplay of ‘value-seeking consumption’ and ‘revenge spending’, shaping the country’s retail [...]