Ministry of Trade Industry and Resources

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) announced that total sales at 26 major retailers (15 brick-and-mortar retailers and 11 online retailers) in January 2026 rose 4.4 percent year-on-year, with offline sales down 0.6 percent and online sales up 8.2 percent.

Offline sales at department stores (up 13.4 percent) and convenience stores (up 0.8 percent) posted growth, while large supermarkets (down 18.8 percent) and SSMs (down 4.4 percent) declined. Department stores and convenience stores recorded positive growth for seven consecutive months from July 2025.

Department store sales rose in fashion/apparel, including winter clothing, and premium international brands, while convenience store sales increased in desserts and ready-to-eat foods.

Large supermarket and SSM sales fell from a year earlier, as the Lunar New Year holiday fell on January 29 in 2025 but on February 17 in 2026. Sales declined as seasonal demand for holiday gift sets and key food items did not materialize in January 2026.

Online sales have maintained an upward trend since the statistics were first compiled. Sales rose across all product categories, including food (up 7.7 percent), fashion/apparel (up 10.1 percent), and cosmetics (up 15.5 percent).

Sales shares by channel were 58.7 percent for online retailers, 16.8 percent for department stores, 12.7 percent for convenience stores, 9.7 percent for large supermarkets, and 2.1 percent for SSMs. Compared with the 2025 annual shares, department stores rose 2.6 percentage points, while online retailers fell 0.3 percentage points. Shares also declined for large supermarkets (down 0.1 percentage points), SSMs (down 0.1 percentage points), and convenience stores (down 2.1 percentage points).