S.Korea’s retail sale logs double-digit growth in October

SEOUL — South Korea’s retail sale logged a double-digit growth in October thanks to strong sales by both online and offline retailers, a government report showed Monday.

Revenue by 12 major online and 13 major offline retailers came in at 13.6 trillion won (11.3 billion U.S. dollars) in October, up 14.4 percent from a year earlier, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

Sale by online retailers advanced 19.7 percent in October amid the continued demand for online purchases, which was caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Revenue among offline retailers increased 10 percent in October from a year earlier.

Sale by major department stores surged 21 percent on robust demand for winter clothing and golf equipment, and revenue among discount outlets added 1.4 percent owing to the launch of discount events.

Revenue by convenience stores expanded 9 percent on the rising number of single-person households.