This Year's Seol Gift Trends: 'Online' and 'Value for Money'

1 in 2 People Buy Seollal Gifts Through Online Channels

This year's Lunar New Year gift trend is expected to focus on 'cost-effectiveness.' On the 22nd, TMON announced that, according to a survey of 500 customers on Lunar New Year gift trends, one in two people purchase from 'online channels with strong price competitiveness,' and 46% said they would 'reduce holiday gift expenses' due to inflation.

According to a survey conducted by TMON from the 10th to the 16th of this month targeting over 500 customers about their 'Lunar New Year gift plans,' 58% responded that they would buy gifts (multiple answers allowed) from 'online channels with strong price competitiveness.' This was followed by 'large discount stores (43%)' and 'department stores (8%),' while 14% said they would 'not purchase.' Regarding gift delivery methods (multiple answers allowed), 55% said they would 'deliver gifts in person,' slightly more than the 49% who said they would 'send via courier or gift delivery service.'

The most desired gift was 'cash,' at 45%, overwhelmingly leading. Next were fresh food (20%), gifticons/gift certificates (12%), processed shelf-stable foods (9%), health supplements (6%), and digital/home appliances (3%). Conversely, the most preferred gifts to give were fresh foods such as Korean beef and fruit sets (29%), followed by cash (26%).

A tendency to focus on 'cost-effectiveness' also emerged. As a way to reduce the burden of gift expenses (multiple answers allowed), 46% planned to 'lower the price range of holiday gifts,' which was higher than the 38% who said they would 'keep it the same as previous years.' Additionally, 23% planned to 'reduce the table setting or purchase cost-effective groceries.' Furthermore, during the Lunar New Year holiday, more than half (58%) said they would 'spend the holiday with family,' but 41% identified 'allowances given to parents, relatives, and nephews/nieces' as the most burdensome expense. Regarding the budget per person for Lunar New Year gifts, 40% chose between 50,000 KRW and less than 100,000 KRW.

In response, TMON is running a special event called 'Celebrate Lunar New Year with TMON' until February 11, carefully selecting over 2,600 special-priced gifts to support customers' economical Lunar New Year preparations. A TMON representative said, "We are offering not only gifts but also numerous discounted products for holiday travel and outings during the Lunar New Year," adding, "We have prepared ultra-budget-friendly gift products with cost-effectiveness in mind amid high inflation, along with various Lunar New Year benefits."

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