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1 month ago | 
insideretail.asia | Lina Jang |Celene Ignacio |Tong Van |Anil Prabha
Zara, the Spanish fashion giant, is set to open its first Zacaffe location in South Korea this May, launching inside the brand’s newly renovated flagship store in Myeong-dong, Seoul. The move reflects a growing trend among global fashion brands incorporating cafes into their retail spaces, offering customers a more immersive brand experience.
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1 month ago | 
insideretail.asia | Lina Jang |Tong Van
As the economic downturn persists, South Korea’s luxury market is witnessing a shift in consumer spending habits, with high-end cosmetics sales outpacing those of expensive fashion items like designer handbags and apparel. According to the retail industry on Sunday, luxury beauty brands such as Prada, Hermes, and Givenchy saw their cosmetics sales rise by 16–24 per cent in 2024 across South Korea’s top three department store chains – Lotte, Shinsegae, and Hyundai.
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1 month ago | 
insideretail.asia | Lina Jang |Tamera Francis |Stephanie Chadwick
South Korea’s Fair Trade Commission (FTC) has imposed a hefty fine on Dunlop Sports Korea for restricting retailers from offering discounts on its golf clubs, a move deemed an illegal restraint of competition. The FTC announced on Monday that Dunlop Sports Korea would face a US$1.29 million fine for violating fair trade laws by enforcing resale price maintenance and unfair trading conditions on its dealers between 2020 and 2023.
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1 month ago | 
insideretail.asia | Kaycee Enerva |Irene Dong |Tong Van |Lina Jang
Saudi Arabian confectionery company Bateel has partnered with Bluebell Group to launch its brand in Singapore. The new boutique will open in Takashimaya on Orchard Road. Founded in 1932, Bateel is known for its premium selection of dates, artisanal chocolates, and gift sets. The company has since expanded its offerings to include cafes and restaurants. It operates in 170 locations across 26 countries worldwide.
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2 months ago | 
insideretail.asia | Lina Jang |Celene Ignacio |Tong Van |Anil Prabha
The era of predawn queues for luxury goods appears to be waning among South Korea’s young consumers, who are increasingly turning to budget-friendly alternatives known as “dupes” – affordable replicas of high-end products. The term “dupe,” derived from “duplicate,” refers to cost-effective substitutes for luxury or premium items.
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Jan 22, 2025 | 
insideretail.asia | Lina Jang |Anil Prabha |Tong Van
South Korea continues to face mounting dining costs for the third consecutive year as high inflation, currency volatility, and rising interest rates drive food prices upward. From popular dining options to workplace cafeterias and convenience store meals, prices have surged, intensifying the so-called ‘lunchflation’ phenomenon.
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Dec 3, 2024 | 
insideretail.asia | Lina Jang |Irene Dong |Tong Van |Donny Kwok
Despite persistent inflation, South Korea’s fragrance market is booming, with niche luxury perfumes gaining prominence. International brands like Jo Malone, Diptyque, and Byredo are leading the charge, capturing significant consumer interest and driving growth in the high-end cosmetics sector. According to industry data, niche perfume sales through Shinsegae International’s online platform surged 20.7 per cent year-on-year through October 2024.
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Nov 28, 2024 | 
insideretail.asia | Lina Jang |Celene Ignacio |M. Sriram |Chavi Mehta
“All cosmetic samples for just 10,000 won (US$7.2) .” Such listings have become increasingly common on Danggeun Market, South Korea’s popular secondhand trading platform, reflecting a growing divide in the nation’s beauty market amid persistent inflation. While some consumers hunt for bargain cosmetics and sample-size products, others flock to luxury brands like Prada Beauty, which opened its first South Korean store in August despite economic headwinds.
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Jul 30, 2024 | 
insideretail.asia | Lina Jang |Kaycee Enerva
The South Korean government has joined forces with the cosmetics industry to nurture small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the K-Beauty sector, a move that aims to solidify the country’s position in the global beauty market. Korean cosmetics, already a top export item for SMEs, have gained worldwide popularity.
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Feb 27, 2024 | 
insideretail.asia | Lina Jang |Aron Lewin |Rakshnna Pattabiraman |Tong Van
As K-pop continues to capture hearts worldwide, the food and beverage industry is keenly leveraging this global phenomenon by collaborating with K-pop artists to target international markets. Coca-Cola is setting a prime example by launching a special edition product named ‘Coca-Cola Zero K-Wave’ in 36 countries, drawing inspiration from K-pop and its vibrant fan culture. Notably, the product’s logo features the brand’s name written in Korean, highlighting the influence of the Korean wave.
