S. Korea’s Retail Sales Rise 10.9% in March

Retail sales in South Korea rose 10.9% on-year in March on the back of stronger demand for travel and entertainment services from online platforms. The combined sales of 25 major offline and online retailers came to 15.8 trillion won ($11.45 billion), compared with 14.2 trillion won tallied a year earlier, according to the data compiled by the South Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. Offline store sales moved up 6 percent during the period, partly due to the higher number of weekend days, reported YONHAP. Sales at department stores also increased 8.9%, led by household items and imported luxury goods, the data showed and sales from online platforms surged 15.7%. In February, retail sales in South Korea rose 13.7% on-year, against high demand during the Lunar New Year holiday. Source: Qatar News Agency