Lotte Department Store Presents Spring 'Home Gardening' Event

Customers admiring companion plants at the gardening cafe small park in Lotte Department Store Ansan Branch.

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jinyoung] Lotte Department Store is coloring homes and hearts green to herald the full arrival of spring.

According to Lotte Department Store on the 10th, as the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic has increased the time spent at home, interest in ‘companion plants’ that purify not only indoor air but also minds weary from the pandemic is growing.

In fact, last year, Lotte Department Store’s sales related to ‘home gardening’ more than doubled compared to the previous year, and this year (January 1 to March 6) sales have continued to grow, increasing by more than 70% compared to the same period last year. Especially with the arrival of spring, demand to brighten up home atmospheres and redecorate has led to about 40% of last year’s home gardening sales occurring during the spring season (March to May), according to analysis.

Reflecting this trend, Lotte Department Store will capture the spring demand in earnest by introducing various home gardening products under the theme ‘Little Green Things’ and preparing diverse events from the 11th to the 31st.

First, they carefully select and showcase companion plants that even beginners can easily grow. Together with writer Im Irang, famous for the essay book ‘Anyway, Plants’ which captures the joy of growing plants, they have chosen plants that are easy to grow even for so-called ‘serial plant killers.’ Representative plants include ‘Monstera Deliciosa,’ known for its exotic atmosphere and air-purifying function, ‘Boston Fern,’ and ‘Scindapsus Enjoy,’ all available at the ‘Sogongwon’ store operated by Lotte Department Store. ‘Sogongwon’ is a garden caf? with an outdoor garden concept located at Lotte Department Store Ansan branch and Lotte Premium Outlet Time Villas, where customers can enjoy various flowers and plants as well as signature menu items such as cakes decorated with fresh flowers. Additionally, ‘Ramaramara Flower’ at Jamsil and Dongtan branches offers curation services covering all aspects of home gardening?from plant selection to placement and care?tailored to individual lifestyles and space characteristics.

To let customers experience the fun of home gardening firsthand, an event giving away seeds will also be held. From the 11th to the 24th, among customers who purchase at Lotte Department Store and apply for the event, 100 will be selected to receive the ‘No Stress Tea Seed Kit’ made by the plant lifestyle brand ‘Seed Keeper.’ The kit includes five types of seeds?lemon balm, bergamot, borage, chamomile, and peppermint?that are good for stress relief, as well as a pot made from natural pulp, soil, a dropper, and name tags, containing everything needed to start home gardening easily even for beginners. Event applications and detailed information can be found on the Lotte Department Store APP.

Meanwhile, various gardening classes, books, and exhibitions that allow customers to feel the healing power of plants visually and emotionally have been prepared. The Lotte Culture Center offers a variety of courses providing basic knowledge and practical experience needed to grow ‘companion plants’ at home, giving time to connect with plants. Popular classes include the ‘Premium Gardening with Fresh Green Plants’ held at the main store and ‘Hanging Plant Using Moss Ball’ with writer Im Irang at the Jamsil branch. Also, on the Lotte Department Store APP, five essays are introduced under the theme ‘Life with Plants,’ including Im Irang’s ‘Anyway, Plants’ and writer Cynthia’s ‘Until My Mood Turns Green.’ Until the 15th, a photo exhibition titled ‘Greeeeeeeeen’ by nine photographers representing ‘291photographs’ is being held on the 5th floor of Jamsil AvenueL, allowing visitors to experience the green beauty given by nature.

Park Sangwoo, head of marketing planning at Lotte Department Store, said, “At a time when the importance of environment and nature has become more urgent than ever due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, we planned this event to comfort customers’ weary hearts even a little.” He added, “We hope you welcome a warm spring feeling the vitality and bright energy given by small and precious plants together with Lotte Department Store.”

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