SOUTH KOREA. Shinsegae Duty Free has reported encouragingly strong year-on-year growth in its home beauty device category, highlighting rising consumer interest in lifestyle-focused technology.
“The strong growth of beauty devices, smart wearables and other lifestyle technology categories demonstrates that customers are increasingly seeking products that enhance everyday life” – Shinsegae Duty Free Director of Merchandising Joohyun Nam
The category has become a key growth driver for the retailer, led by brands such as Medicube, whose AGE-R beauty device range saw sales jump approximately +230% year-on-year in 2025.
Premium Korean beauty-tech and skincare brand Thome has emerged as another standout performer, with monthly sales soaring +930% within just eight months of its March 2025 launch at Shinsegae Duty Free.
Beyond beauty technology, premium wearable brand Garmin posted sales growth of +60% from January to May compared with the same period in 2025, reflecting growing demand for technology products that support health, fitness and everyday convenience.
Shinsegae Duty Free highlighted rising consumer interest in products that go beyond traditional categories as consumers increasingly prioritise innovation and everyday functionality.
Meta AI-powered sales surge
Supporting this trend, the retailer has become the first to debut Meta AI-powered eyewear as a key element of its strategy to bring customers advanced lifestyle innovations that integrate fashion, technology and AI-driven capability (see panel at the foot of this story for more details).
Looking ahead, the retailer has identified premium technology and lifestyle products as key growth areas, enhancing its lifestyle technology portfolio with products that enhance everyday experiences.
The retailer also noted its plans to expand its offering beyond traditional duty-free categories, connecting travellers with innovative products and emerging brands that reflect changing consumer lifestyles and preferences.
Shinsegae Duty Free Director of Merchandising Joohyun Nam said: “We are committed to introducing innovative products that create new experiences for travellers.
“The strong growth of beauty devices, smart wearables and other lifestyle technology categories demonstrates that customers are increasingly seeking products that enhance everyday life.
“The launch of Meta AI eyewear is another step in our efforts to bring the latest global innovations to our customers and shape the future of travel retail.” ✈
Shinsegae Duty Free puts smart eyewear in focus with Meta AI campaignShinsegae Duty Free is accelerating its push into the smart lifestyle space with a Meta AI eyewear activation at Incheon International Airport Terminal 2, reinforcing the category’s growing relevance in travel retail. Shinsegae Duty Free is the exclusive duty-free retailer operating the Meta AI Eyewear experience zone at Incheon International Airport Terminal 2. The product is also available for purchase through the retailer’s Myeong-dong flagship store, Incheon International Airport Terminal 1 shop and its online duty-free platform. The Incheon T2 activation extends beyond the airport, with a dedicated try-on experience at the retailer’s Myeong-dong flagship store in Seoul.  The roll-out spotlights the global AI smart glasses, available across the retailer’s online and offline stores. The offering is a collaboration between Meta and EssilorLuxottica, and features the Ray-Ban Meta Gen2 and Oakley Meta line-ups. Although the product is distributed by other duty-free retailers in downtown locations and Incheon International Airport Terminal 1, Shinsegae Duty Free maintains exclusivity at Terminal 2 and is leveraging its flagship store as an experiential extension of the airport offer. The initiative underscores an evolving trend in Korean travel retail, as retailers increasingly connect airport and downtown experiences through immersive, tech-driven formats targeting next-generation travellers. |
