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Retail revenue climbs 5.6 percent in March on tourism, back-to-school boost

Published: 29 Apr. 2026, 12:34 Updated: 29 Apr. 2026, 14:00

A person shops at a supermarket in central Seoul on April 20. [NEWS1]

Revenue of major retail companies in Korea rose 5.6 percent from a year earlier in March on robust consumption demand fueled by a sharp increase in inbound travelers to the country coupled with the arrival of the back-to-school season, government data showed Wednesday.

Offline retailers reported 1.9 percent on-year growth in sales, with department stores posting a sharp growth of 14.7 percent and convenience stores enjoying a 2.7 percent gain in revenue, according to data compiled by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources.

The ministry said department stores, in particular, saw their revenue increase across fashion and sports items, and children's goods, as a record 2.06 million foreign tourists visited the country in March. Shopping demand also rose with the start of a new school year.

Offline supermarkets, however, saw their revenue drop 15.2 percent on year with the continued growth of the e-commerce sector.

The revenue of major online retail platforms climbed 8.1 percent on year, led by the growth in sales of cosmetics, groceries, household items and home appliances.

Online platforms accounted for 60.6 percent of total retail sales in March, while department stores took up 15.4 percent, convenience stores 13.9 percent and supermarkets 8.1 percent.

Yonhap