Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) announced on August 27 that Korea’s retail industry grew 9.1 percent year-on-year in July 2025, with offline sales gaining 2.7 percent and online sales surging 15.3 percent.

MOTIE's monthly retail sales figures are based on surveys of 23 major retailers, comprising 13 brick-and-mortar retailers and 10 online retailers.

By offline retail channel, convenience stores rose 3.9 percent, marking their first gain in four months. This growth was partly driven by use of People’s Livelihood Recovery Consumption Coupons, issued by the Korean government as part of efforts to revitalize the economy.

Department stores also climbed 5.1 percent, supported by positive growth across all product categories except miscellaneous goods. Super supermarket operators edged up 1.8 percent, maintaining their upward trajectory for the fifth consecutive month.

By category, offline sales expanded in food products (up 2.7 percent), services/others (up 4.4 percent), and luxury goods (up 11.3 percent).

Meanwhile, online sales posted solid growth in July, driven by strong performance in the services category (up 24.9 percent) and the food category (up 24.2 percent).