Sales at department stores, outlets dip in February

By KH디지털2

Published : March 30, 2016 - 14:31

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Korea's major department stores and discount chains saw their sales decrease in February from a year earlier due to reduced holiday shoppers, government data showed Wednesday.

The combined sales of three department stores -- Hyundai, Lotte and Shinsegae -- edged down 1.9 percent on-year last month, while those of major discount stores of E-Mart, Lotte Mart and Home Plus fell 7 percent, according to the data compiled by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

Lotte Department Store (Yonhap)

The ministry said the February decline came as people spent big in January in preparation for the five-day Lunar New Year's holiday, which fell on Feb. 8.

Last year's Lunar New Year's Day was Feb. 19, as holiday shoppers were entirely absorbed into the February accounts.

Sales at convenience stores, in contrast, continued to grow by a large margin, spiking 31.4 percent on-year last month, helped by a rise in cigarette sales.

Sales at super supermarkets, mostly run by large retailers, retreated 0.5 percent on-year, according to the latest data. (Yonhap)

Sales at department stores, outlets dip in February

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