Retail sales in South Korea rise on demand for winter clothes

Retail sales in South Korea rose last month as demand for clothes increased ahead of the winter season, a government report showed Monday. Total sales at three major discount outlets, including E-mart, Lotte Mart and Homeplus, expanded 7.6 percent in September from a month earlier, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE). Combined sales at three department stores, including Lotte, Shinsegae and Hyundai, surged 30.5 percent over the same period. Demand for clothes jumped last month ahead of the winter season. Food sales also increased due to the Chuseok holiday, equivalent to the Thanksgiving Day. Clothing sales at major discount chains soared 33.5 percent in September from a month earlier, with demand for men's clothes and women's casuals at department stores jumping 78 percent and 40.6 percent respectively. Food sales at the discount chains gained 12. 1 percent last month. Sales at major convenient stores reduced 2.9 percent on-month in September, with those at super supermarkets, or supermarket chains operated by big corporations, declining 4.8 percent last month.