The management of GS Group, said Wednesday that the energy, retail and construction conglomerate would invest 3 trillion won ($2.9 billion) in its core and new businesses this year.The 2014 investments are larger than the average annual amount of around 2 trillion won. The decision came in a second-quarter meeting of group executives, led by GS Group chairman Huh Chang-soo, the group said in a press release. “The global economy faces more uncertainties at the moment. To turn a crisis into an opp

April 16, 2014

(Gmarket)Gmarket, the country’s largest online shopping site, has introduced a payment system that will save shoppers both time and energy. With “SmilePay,” users’ credit cards, CVC codes and identification numbers are automatically stored after they are first entered. This information is then brought up when shoppers want to use their credit cards ― issued by Samsung and Hyundai ― to shop at Gmarket by typing in an authentication number that is sent to their mobile phones. “Customers don’t have

April 16, 2014

In an ode to Kim Yu-na, who announced her retirement earlier this year, Dongsuh Foods, one of the figure skater’s main sponsors, is giving out tickets for her show. Those who leave messages for Kim at the www.maximwhitegold.co.kr by April 24 will be able to apply for the event that gives 100 people two tickets each to the “All That Skate 2014” shows. Additional movie tickets will be given to 500 people. Kim will leave a personal reply to three selected messages. “All That Skate” will be held fro

April 15, 2014

To most modern women, shoes do more than merely cover one’s foot for protection. “Shoes have become an important fashion item, in particular, for women who want to express themselves,” said Diana Kang, chief executive of GRI Korea, in an interview with The Korea Herald. “Riding on the trend, a growing number of Korean women are seen with growing shoe collections that are meant to match their daily outfits,” Kang said. GRI is a Hong Kong-based international apparel and fashion accessories retail

April 15, 2014

Samyang Genex opened an “ABOUT ME” outlet for health and beauty products in Myeong-dong, Seoul, Thursday. This is the third shop for Genex following ones in Yeongdeungpo Time Square and another in Hongdae, both in Seoul. ABOUT ME sells a 160 products ranging from cosmetic products based on tests of each customer’s skin type to health supplements. An aesthetic skin care parlor and a lounge bar where people can try out the products are on the second floor. For more information, visit www.aboutmesh

April 15, 2014

Korea Ginseng Corp.’s Cheong Kwan Jang Korean Red Ginseng Extract, Korean Red Ginseng Pure Extract and Ginseng Root have gained halal accreditation from the Korea Muslim Federation. The accreditation means that the ginseng products are recognized as complying with Islamic rules and as being appropriate for Muslim consumption. The corporation hopes that the accreditation will open ways to export the products to Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Exports make up over 12 percent of KCG’s sales. KC

April 15, 2014

The Face Shop has introduced a limited edition of its bestseller, “Chia seed facial cream,” presenting packages designed by renowned artists Park Jung-ah and Park Ae-ran. Under the slogan of “Making our Lives and Nature Better with Seeds,” the artists created an illustration of a girl with a seed and a calligraphic logo. More than 700,000 jars of Chia seed cream have been sold since its launch in 2013, making it one of the brand’s best-selling products. The cream uses non-genetically modified se

April 15, 2014

Australian home appliance maker Breville released two kinds of juicers that extract vitamins from fruit more efficiently than their market competitors. The BJE410 priced at 410,000 won and BJE520 priced at 590,000 won have motors that vary their speed of action depending on how hard the fruit is. The juice made with the device extracts up to 71 percent of the vitamins and enzymes contained in the original fruit, Breville said. Breville juicers are sold at Hyundai Department Store branches in Apg

April 15, 2014

T’way Air may be the nation’s smallest budget carrier with just seven short- and midrange aircraft, but it is quickly building a reputation as an innovative player in a market which is reaching a fever pitch of competition. The carrier, for instance, moved faster than other low-cost carriers to become the first to launch a route between Daegu and Jejudo Island in March.The same month, the carrier created a sensation by introducing the cheapest-ever early bird promotion fares for domestic and int

April 10, 2014

Premium coffee maker Nespresso released Inissia, a compact and lightweight capsule coffee maker. Inissia weighs 2.4 kilograms and can hold up to 0.7 liters in its water tank. It has 19 bars in pressure and can stock 11 capsules. The machine comes in three colors ― orange, ruby red and sky blue ― and can fit into small spaces thanks to its reduced size, Nespresso said. Inissia is priced at 199,000 won. For more information visit www.nespresso.com. (baejisook@heraldcorp.com)

April 8, 2014

Lotte Chilsung released Lipton Green Ice tea, combining the deep and bitter taste of green tea with fresh and citrusy grapefruit scents. The beverage comes in 240 milliliter and 355 milliliter cans as well as 500 milliliter bottles.The drinks have less than 21 kilocalories per 100 milliliters. “We have seen green tea to be the third-most popular flavor following peach and lemon. We are marketing aggressively this summer with our brand model and actress Ha Yeon-soo,” a Lotte spokesman said. (baej

April 8, 2014

Ceramics maker Kwangjuyo launched an online shopping mall, L Kwangjuyo, selling general lifestyle goods at www.lkwangjuyo.co.kr. The website sells products from table cloths to spoons, forks and, of course, ceramics as well as other earthenware made by Kwangjuyo. The brand is famous for using Korean traditional pot making techniques on top of modern and contemporary design. In celebration of the launch of the website, Kwangjuyo will give out various gifts to those who leave messages on its Faceb

April 8, 2014

Tateossian London, a high-end men’s lifestyle brand, will be introduced at Shinsegae and Galleria department stores in Seoul. Tateossian sales and marketing associate Metteo Tiddia told The Korea Herald, “We have found the fashion market for men growing here, with lots of select shops and department stores organizing men’s sections.”The brand is mostly famous for bold and contemporary designs of cufflinks, bracelets and eyewear for men. Its most sought-after items are diamond embedded cufflinks,

April 8, 2014

Advertisements should do more than just provide information, according to the chief executive of Europe’s largest independent advertising company. “It has to be a two-way interaction between advertisers and the public,” said Florian Haller, CEO of Serviceplan, in an interview with The Korea Herald.In fact, such integrated communication strategies are becoming the new global trend in the advertising industry, he said. Part of the reason is because there is a prevailing sense of fatigue in the pub

April 8, 2014

Baesangmyun Brewery’s sansachun, rice wine brewed with cornus fruits and hawthornberry, won the bronze prize at the 2014 Monde Selection’s Spirit & Liqueurs section, the brewery said Tuesday. Sansachun, with 14 percent alcohol, is said to have both smooth and fragrant flavors due to its raw-rice fermentation technology. It has become one of the best sellers of the Baesangmyun Brewery since its launch in 1997. Monde Selection, an international institute for quality selection, is said to be one of

April 8, 2014

Competition in the high-end segment of the 1.6 trillion won ($1.5 billion) Korean coffee shop market may heat up as more and more coffee aficionados appear to be craving something extra special in their coffee. While it remains to be seen whether the upscale trend will catch on in earnest, going premium is likely to offer new business opportunities for coffee shops that are seeing heavy competition, market observers say. Starbucks Korea has become the latest and by far the most powerful contende

March 18, 2014

AmorePacific’s premium skincare brand Sulwhasoo teamed up with a group of artists to mark the 17th anniversary of its bestselling essence, First Care Activating Serum. Mother-of-pearl lacquer maestro Sohn Dae-hyun helped promote the serum by endorsing the company’s claims that the product creates “dewy skin.”Internationally acclaimed media artist Jin Si-yon, meanwhile, helped shape the bottle, which involves a wide color palette. The serum was formulated to replenish essential moisture and nutri

March 18, 2014

SPC Group has opened a Paris Baguette bakery in the Upper West Side on 70th Street in Manhattan, New York, the company said on Tuesday.Situated in the luxurious residential area near Central Park, the Lincoln Center and the American Museum of Natural History, the store is expected to help SPC break into mainstream Manhattan, the firm said. SPC opened its first U.S. bakery in 2005 and currently runs 30 stores there. The 70th Street store will be the final test bed for SPC’s advancement into the U

March 18, 2014

Nespresso Korea released two limited editions of its liquid capsule coffee for the spring. “Cauca” and “Santander” of the Columbian Terroirs Grand Cru contain the quintessential flavors of Columbian coffee. While Cauca flaunts a fruity and wine-like flavor due to growing in strong sunlight, Santander -- cultivated in windy, shady regions -- is famous for its roasted and caramelized scent. Both products taste best as a 40 milliliter-espresso, the coffee maker said. A 20-capsule package costs 19,0

March 18, 2014