Lotte Duty Free will open on Friday a renovated cosmetics boutique at its Jamsil branch in southern Seoul.

The duty free shop has expanded by 1,567 square meters and takes up both the ninth and tenth floors at the Lotte Department Store in Jamsil. The renovation is to meet the growing number of foreign tourists who are showing great interest in South Korean beauty products following “hallyu,” or the Korean Wave, said officials through statement.

Officials said the sales of cosmetic goods have been on a steady increase: Japanese customers bought 58 percent more in May compared to the same month last year, and Chinese 145 percent.

The newly opened ninth floor is fully dedicated to cosmetics. A total of 74 local and international brands will be sold. Nineteen new brands include Sisley, Benefit, La Mer and perfume brands Marc Jacobs and Lanvin. The “BB Cream Zone” on the tenth floor has been expanded fourfold as it is highly popular especially among Japanese tourists.

Other than cosmetic boutiques, Lotte Duty Free also expanded the jewelry and watch section which is popular among Chinese tourists. New luxury watch brands like HUBLOT can be found.

“We will put in more effort to meet our local and foreign customers’ needs by setting up special shops and introducing more brands,” said Ju Dong-kuk, head of the Lotte Duty Free Jamsil store.

By Park Min-young  (claire@heraldcorp.com)