On Friday, Statistics Korea released data that showed a 9.6 percent year-over-year increase in online shopping transactions in South Korea in September, amounting to 19 trillion won (US$14.2 billion). This growth was largely driven by a 37.2 percent rise in travel and transportation services to 2.05 trillion won due to eased COVID-19 restrictions worldwide. Food and beverage purchases also increased 22.1 percent to 2.7 trillion won, while e-coupons or gift cards rose 42.8 percent to 964.8 billion won. Food delivery services saw a 7.2 percent on-year growth to 2.14 trillion won. The total value of purchases made through smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices was 13.7 trillion won, a 6.8 percent increase, and accounted for 72.4 percent of total online shopping, down 1.9 percent from the previous year.
Travelers wait in line at a check-in counter at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, in this file photo taken on Sept. 27, 2023. (Yonhap)
The data revealed that online shopping in September was up 9.6 percent compared to the same period in the previous year, largely due to higher demand for travel services. Food and beverage sales also rose substantially, as well as e-coupons and gift cards, while purchases made through mobile devices increased 6.8 percent. colin@yna.co.kr (END)