Industry ministry says July retail sales rise 6.4 percent

The industry ministry said Wednesday that total sales at major retail outlets rose 6.4 percent in July from a year earlier.

Offline sales grew 3.2 percent as gains at department stores and convenience stores were offset by declines at large discount retailers and super supermarkets.

Department store revenue jumped 17.9 percent, marking the 13th consecutive month of growth, while convenience store sales edged up 1.1 percent.

Convenience stores maintained their upward trajectory despite a 0.5 percent drop in customer visits, as the average transaction value increased 1.6 percent.

In contrast, large discount stores saw sales fall 11.2 percent, extending a streak of five straight months of contraction, partly because Homeplus did not report July figures due to a temporary closure from July 13 to August 12.

Super supermarkets also struggled with a 2.9 percent decline, though the drop in their food sector sales narrowed to 2.5 percent from 10.6 percent in June.

Online shopping continued to outpace brick-and-mortar channels, with food purchases rising 10.4 percent and home appliance sales climbing 11.4 percent. The service and miscellaneous category led all sectors with a 17.5 percent increase.

Online channels accounted for 60.8 percent of total retail sales last month, followed by convenience stores at 15.0 percent, department stores at 14.1 percent, large discount stores at 8.1 percent, and super supermarkets at 2.1 percent.