South Korea's August department store sales rise for third month

[SEOUL] South Korea's department store sales rose for a third straight month in August thanks to widespread discounting ahead of a major public holiday this month, government data showed on Thursday.

Combined sales at department stores run by Hyundai Department Store, Lotte Shopping and Shinsegae Co rose 4.1 per cent on-year, data from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said.

This followed a 7.0 per cent jump in July.

Sales of all individual categories at department stores rose in August, with the exception of men's clothing.

The same data showed August sales at discount stores fell 1.3 per cent from a year ago after rising for two months previously. In August, sales rose 2.1 per cent.

The decline was attributed to a 14.8 per cent slump in sports-related goods as the unusually hot summer weather this year discouraged customers from seeking them out, the monthly report said.

Online open market sales growth at websites owned by eBay Korea and others slowed slightly to 22.4 per cent in August from 31.2 per cent in July.

Retail sales overall in August mainly saw demand for household electronics like air conditioners and gifts ahead of the Chuseok holiday season, the data said.

REUTERS