Online shopping sales in South Korea jumped 6.8 percent year-on-year to a record high in November, driven by strong demand for food-related services. According to data from the Ministry of Data and Statistics, transactions totaled 24.15 trillion won ($16.75 billion). Purchases via mobile devices accounted for 77 percent of the total.
Online shopping sales in South Korea reached a record high in November, reflecting robust growth in the e-commerce sector. Data from the Ministry of Data and Statistics showed transactions totaling 24.15 trillion won ($16.75 billion), a 6.8 percent increase or 1.53 trillion won rise from the previous year. This marks the highest figure since the ministry began compiling data in 2017.
The surge was primarily driven by a 13.7 percent year-on-year climb in sales of food services and food and beverages, attributed to promotions by food delivery platforms. Spending on travel and transportation services also grew 8.5 percent, bolstered by recovering domestic and overseas travel demand and second-half promotional events.
In contrast, online sales of home appliances and electronics declined 4.9 percent, due to fewer promotional events compared to the prior year. Purchases through mobile devices like smartphones and tablets rose 7.9 percent to 18.59 trillion won, setting another record. Mobile-based shopping comprised 77 percent of total online sales, up 0.9 percentage points from a year earlier.
These figures highlight the ongoing expansion of online shopping, particularly in food and travel sectors amid shifting consumer habits and digital adoption.
