Department stores lift South Korea retail sales 7.3% in H1

It led growth with a 20.1% sales increase.

South Korea's major retailers posted a 7.3% year-on-year increase in sales in the first half of 2026, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources.

Sales at 26 major retailers, comprising 15 offline and 11 online retailers, rose as offline sales increased 6.2% and online sales grew 8.1%.

Department stores led offline growth, with sales surging 20.1% as improving consumer sentiment and higher spending by foreign tourists boosted demand.

Convenience store sales also returned to growth, rising 3.7% after declining 1.0% in the same period last year, supported by an early heatwave and a low comparison base. Transaction volumes at convenience stores also increased steadily from February.

Online retail sales climbed 8.1%, driven by higher food purchases, further reinforcing online platforms as a key grocery shopping channel. However, growth slowed from the 14.4% recorded in the first half of 2025 due to a higher comparison base.

Hypermarkets and super supermarkets (SSMs) remained weak, with sales falling 7.3% and 6.6%, respectively, as weak food demand persisted.

Consumer spending increased across product categories, with sales of home appliances and cultural goods up 9.7%, fashion and accessories up 8.2%, household goods up 6.3%, and food up 5.0%. Premium international brands posted 30.8% growth.

Online food sales rose 11.0%, whilst offline food sales slipped 0.5%.