SEOUL, Jan. 30 (Yonhap) -- Retail sales in South Korea rose 6.2 percent in 2017 compared with a year ago, helped by robust growth of online malls and convenience stores, government data showed Tuesday.
Sales of 13 major online stores and market places jumped 13.2 percent on-year as more people preferred shopping via computers and mobile gadgets, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said, without disclosing their sales figures.
Sales of 13 offline-based retailers, including department stores, discount chains and convenience stores, climbed 3 percent over the period, led by brisk sales at convenience stores, the ministry said.
People shop at Lotte Department Store in downtown Seoul on Nov. 17, 2017. (Yonhap)
Convenience stores posted 10.9 percent growth last year as they expanded items and services targeted at a rising number of single-person households, including ready-made meals, imported beers and financial services.
In contrast, sales numbers for discount stores inched down 0.1 percent due to sluggish demand for non-food items in the face of fierce competition from online retail channels and convenience stores.
Sales at online malls soared 27 percent on-year in 2017 as more people opted for online grocery shopping, aided by the fast delivery service.
Online market places, which present products provided by many different sources, posted 8.6 percent growth by expanding third-party sellers in the electronic and home appliance sections.
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