Seoul: South Korean retailers experienced a 7 percent increase in sales from the previous year in April, driven by a surge in demand for online food and grocery delivery services, as revealed by recent data.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the combined revenue of major online retail companies rose by 15.8 percent compared to the previous year. In contrast, offline platforms witnessed a 1.9 percent decline in sales, based on data compiled by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.
Within the online sector, sales attributed to food delivery, e-commerce coupons, and travel-related services saw a significant jump of 50.1 percent on a year-on-year basis. Additionally, revenue from grocery delivery services increased by 21.3 percent.
Conversely, the offline sector faced challenges, with revenues declining due to a drop in consumer sentiment and reduced outdoor activities, which were influenced by volatile weather conditions. Supermarket sales fell by 3.1 percent year-on-year in April, while department store sales decreased by 2.9 percent.