First Weekend After Easing Social Distancing, Department Stores and Outlets See 'No COVID-19' Cases

Lotte and Shinsegae Department Store Sales from 16th to 18th Increase by 11% and 17% Compared to Same Period Last Year

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Hye-seon] "As the impact of COVID-19 decreases, there are as many customers as last year."

On the 18th, an employee at the Moncler store in Lotte Department Store, Jung-gu, Seoul, said this while organizing down jackets after attending to customers. That afternoon, the Moncler store was packed with customers buying down jackets for winter. Since there were more customers than staff, the waiting time to try on down jackets took more than twice as long as usual.

Consumer sentiment is reviving following the easing of social distancing to Level 1. People are stepping outside to relieve the frustration caused by staying home, bringing vitality to shopping districts. On the first weekend after the easing of distancing measures, the main branch of Lotte Department Store on the 18th was crowded with people shopping for winter items. Employees on all floors of the main branch and AvenueL were busy moving around after a long time.

An employee at a children's brand store explained, "The number of family customers has increased more than threefold compared to early last month," adding, "This is the first time this year that there have been this many customers." To enter luxury brand stores, customers had to wait over an hour. Popular products were nowhere to be found at luxury stores such as Chanel and Herm?s. Kim Su-jin (38), an office worker living in Jongno-gu, Seoul, said, "I waited before opening to do an open run to buy the Chanel Trend CC product, but I couldn't buy it," adding, "I visited again to purchase other products."

Groups of people were also gathered in clothing stores browsing clothes. Until this summer, clothing stores had a quiet atmosphere due to the impact of COVID-19. People stayed home, reducing the frequency of clothing purchases. However, on this day, women's and men's clothing stores were crowded with people buying winter clothes. An employee at a men's clothing store said, "It was tough all year, but fortunately, winter clothes seem to be selling," and smiled, saying, "Since early this month, the sales speed of high-priced products like winter coats has been increasing." The situation was similar at the nearby Shinsegae main branch.

Suburban shopping malls like outlets were also crowded with people. This atmosphere was reflected in performance. From the 16th to the 18th, total sales at Lotte Department Store increased by 11.0% compared to the same period last year. By category, men's sales rose 13.0%, living goods 57.0%, and luxury goods 39.0%. Sales at Lotte Outlet also increased by 12.0%. During the same period, sales at Shinsegae Department Store increased by 17.7%.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.