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) rose 6.4 percent year-on-year in July 2026, with offline sales up 3.2 percent and online sales up 8.5 percent.

In July 2026, hot weather and the summer holiday season increased the use of delivery services and purchases of travel products. Premium international brands remained strong, while online food purchases continued to grow.

Offline sales increased at department stores (up 17.9 percent) and convenience stores (up 1.1 percent), while hypermarkets (down 11.2 percent) and SSMs (down 2.9 percent) declined. Department stores and convenience stores extended their growth streaks to 13 consecutive months since July 2025.

Department store sales rose across all categories, including premium international brands, vacation-related goods, and cooling appliances, amid improved consumer sentiment and summer holiday demand. Convenience stores maintained growth as higher average purchase price offset fewer transactions (customer visits) during the hot weather.

Hypermarket sales fell year-on-year for the fifth consecutive month, and SSM sales declined for the eighth consecutive month. However, the year-on-year decline in SSM food sales, the main product category for SSMs, eased from 10.6 percent in June 2026 to 2.5 percent in July 2026.

Online sales rose as the services/other category (up 17.5 percent) recorded strong growth in delivery services, as well as travel and cultural products. Food sales (up 10.4 percent) and home appliance sales (up 11.4 percent) also posted strong gains as consumers purchased more groceries online and sales of cooling appliances increased.

In July 2026, sales shares by channel were 60.8 percent for online retailers, 15.0 percent for convenience stores, 14.1 percent for department stores, 8.1 percent for hypermarkets, and 2.1 percent for SSMs.