SOUTH KOREA. Duty-free sales nationwide (excluding inflight retail) fell -10.60% year-on-year in September but rose +4.70% month-on-month, reaching KRW1,067,405,059,700 (US$744,816,530), according to newly released Korea Duty Free Association figures.
Pertinently, sales to foreigners rose +6.5% month-on-month (-15.3% year-on-year) to KRW780,841,487,686 (US$544,838,642) on a more modest +1.6% montlhy rise (but +19.2% year-on-year) in customer numbers to 1,012,368 – the first monthly tally to exceed 1 million for the first time in five years and eight months, according to influential business title The Chosun Daily.
Foreign shopper numbers are expected to climb strongly in October following the temporary implementation of visa-free entry for Chinese group tourists from 29 September 2025 to 30 June 2026.
The differing growth rates between sales and shoppers were likely driven by increased daigou activity, notably by Lotte Duty Free which, as reported, has recently stepped up its bulk reseller business.
That narrative is lent extra credence by downtown duty-free sales volumes to foreign shoppers, which rose +7.5% month-on-month (-21.1% year-on-year) to KRW647,170,063,708 (US$451,481,151) on a +6.6% increase in customer numbers to 416,017 (+16.4%).
Sales to Koreans across all channels rose +5.14% year-on-year (+0.06% month-on-month) to KRW286,563,572,014 (US$199,973,955) on customer numbers that fell -2.91% year-on-year (-1.36% month-on-month) to 1,607,467. ✈
All figures courtesy of Korea Duty Free Association. Click to expand.
