Contactless Gifts Increase... SSG.com Launches Dedicated Gift Store

by Jeon Jinyoung

Published 24 Apr.2022 06:00(KST)

SSG.com Gift Promotion.

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jinyoung] As the usage of the ‘Online Gift Sending’ service increases, SSG.com is launching a special gift store.

According to SSG.com on the 24th, sales of the ‘Gift Sending’ service, which allows sending products by only knowing the recipient’s mobile phone number, increased by 88% compared to the same period last year from March this year to the 21st of this month.

In particular, with the easing of social distancing measures and the demand for spring outings coinciding, the ‘Beauty’ and ‘Sports Leisure’ categories showed remarkable sales growth. Sales in the beauty product category grew by 96% compared to last year. Instead of basic cosmetics or skincare products that were popular last year, perfume sales for outings and meetings more than doubled. Color cosmetics also showed strength, with lip makeup products such as ‘Dior Lip Glow’ and ‘Chanel Rouge Coco Balm’ ranking first and second among popular beauty category products, respectively.

Sales of products in the sports leisure category also increased by 92%. Sales of hiking and outdoor goods rose by 94% compared to the previous year, and golf goods increased by 98%. Among hiking goods, T-shirts and windbreakers were popular, and among golf goods, Boston bags gained popularity.

As consumers have become accustomed to online shopping, there has also been a noticeable trend of sending high-priced ‘digital electronics’ and ‘interior’ related products as gifts non-face-to-face.

Sales of gifts in the ‘digital electronics’ category increased by 142% compared to the previous year, recording the highest growth rate among gift sending services. Sales of large home appliances such as TVs and washing machines grew by about 90%, accounting for about 30% of the total gift sending sales in the category.

With more families hosting housewarming parties or changing their home atmosphere to welcome spring, sales of interior accessory gifts increased by 116%. The popularity of ‘plant interior’ enjoying the effect of interior decoration by growing plants also rose, with gardening product sales increasing about fourfold. Premium living products such as the ‘Fritz Hansen Ikebana Vase’ ranked among the top in sales.

Accordingly, SSG.com plans to operate a ‘Special Gift Sending Store’ for two weeks starting from the 25th to celebrate Family Month. It will broadly introduce recommended gifts for each commemorative day such as Children’s Day, Parents’ Day, and Teachers’ Day, categorized by price range and theme. Until the 1st of next month, a gift sending exclusive discount coupon of up to 10% will be provided, and from the 2nd to the 8th of next month, up to 7% discount coupons will be offered.

Lee Jae-eun, head of the integrated marketing team at SSG.com, said, “Sending gifts online has already become a familiar culture regardless of age group,” and added, “The strength of SSG.com lies in the ability to use the gift sending service for all categories of products, from fresh food to luxury goods.”