Retail firms prepare to greet Southeast Asian tourists

Foreign tourists shop for cosmetic products at a CJ Olive Young store in Seoul, on March 22. Courtesy of CJ Olive Young
Foreign tourists shop for cosmetic products at a CJ Olive Young store in Seoul, on March 22. Courtesy of CJ Olive Young


By Kim Jae-heun

Local retailers are busy preparing for foreign tourists who are expected to visit in large numbers this April as the COVID-19 pandemic subsides and travelers return around the globe.

This month, in particular, will see several big holidays such as “Songkran,” the Thai New Year in Thailand and Good Friday in the Philippines, thereby offering travelers from Southeast Asia the opportunity to visit Korea.
Shinsegae Department Store will be handing out welcome gifts such as eye mask packs and beverage coupons to tourists who get new mileage cards issued in-store.

Shinsegae Duty Free plans to deploy helpers who can speak Thai and Vietnamese in its stores. They will work from Saturday to Monday during peak time, and help with interpretation.

Lotte Department Store is also running a promotion to provide gift cards worth 5 percent to 7 percent for purchases made by foreign customers this month. Lotte Duty Free held a briefing session for 50 local travel agencies to attract tourists from Southeast Asia, Japan and China too.

Foreign tourists shop for cosmetic products at a CJ Olive Young store in Seoul, on March 22. /p pCourtesy of CJ Olive Young
Shoppers walk on the popular street of Myeong-dong shopping district in Seoul, on March 22. Korea Times file


Hyundai Department Store has set up a kiosk machine at its Songdo branch in Incheon to provide tourism information in the town as well as currency exchange rates for the convenience of foreign shoppers. It is also considering establishing a lounge exclusively for foreign tourists.
“The customer base is expanding from individuals to group tourists from Thailand, Vietnam, Hong Kong and Japan.

Local retailers are planning and offering various promotional events to attract foreign tourists,” a local retail firm official said.

Foreign tourists are key to local retailers’ good performance this year. According to the Korea Tourism Organization, Saturday, 434,439 people visited Korea in January. The number has increased 430 percent, year-on-year, but it is only 30 percent compared to pre-COVID-19 levels.

The number of international visitors is expected to increase even more.

Nearly 100,000 foreigners visited Hyundai Premium Outlet located in the Seoul Capital Area here from January to February.

It has increased six times compared with the last year.

Lotte Department Stores in Sogong-dong and Jamsil in Seoul also saw huge increases in foreign shoppers recently.

The increase in international tourists led to Lotte Department Store’s sales in Sogong-dong and Jamil jumping 650 percent and 410 percent respectively, between January and February, year-on-year.

In the same period, Shinsegae Department Store’s sales to foreign tourists at its Sogong-dong branch in Seoul, soared 310.4 percent.

Tags:

calendar-club listed on couponmatrix.ukcarphone-warehouse listed on couponmatrix.ukdenby-pottery listed on couponmatrix.ukotrium listed on couponmatrix.ukpants-and-socks listed on couponmatrix.ukvintage-inns listed on couponmatrix.uk
calendar-club listed on couponmatrix.ukWe all need a helping hand remembering when our annual dentist appointment is, or when Aunt Joan is coming round, and with a Calendar Club voucher code, this can all be made a lot easier. A regular sight on high streets across the country around Christmas, Calendar Club sell a whole selection of calendars, planners, diaries and notebooks, to help you keep track of your upcoming activities.
carphone-warehouse listed on couponmatrix.ukA name that's as synonymous with the mobile age as iPhones or Samsung, Carphone Warehouse are a long-standing brand with a history as extensive as the mobile phone itself. Offering comprehensive deals on over a dozen of the best mobile providers, you can use a Carphone Warehouse discount code to cut the cost of your monthly tariff. Whether you're looking for an entirely new contract, a SIM only deal or are simply looking for the latest tech for your phone, Carphone Warehouse should be your first and only choice.
denby-pottery listed on couponmatrix.ukGive your home the Denby touch and invest in beautifully-crafted tableware, cookware and serveware that’s built to last. For over 200 years, Denby has developed its range of products to produce a stunning range of homeware, created from hardy Derbyshire clay and brushed with a secret glaze recipe. Snap up a Denby discount code from us to purchase a stunning 12 piece dinner set or a hand decorated mug. Whether you’re treating yourself or buying for a friend, you’ll be spoiled for choice by Denby.
otrium listed on couponmatrix.ukThose eager for premium brands without the premium price tag will quickly make Otrium their first port of call. A marketplace where excess stock from the likes of French Connection, Reiss and Adidas is sold at sale-level prices, you can double-down on your discount with an Otrium discount code from Groupon. With anything from sportswear to party dresses going under the hammer, you never know what new designer label will enter your wardrobe at Otrium.
pants-and-socks listed on couponmatrix.ukIs there a more iconic duo than pants and socks? That’s what Pants and Socks are (literally) all about! Whether you’re replacing tired, old boxers or searching for stocking stuffers, a Pants and Socks discount code will help you save money on quality products by Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein and Ellesse. You’ll save 20% on underwear subscriptions, 10% if you register for the newsletter and there’s free delivery on every order – so there are mountains of ways to get your unmentionables for less!
vintage-inns listed on couponmatrix.ukFrom crackling log fires in the winter to beautiful beer gardens in the summer, there’s nothing quite like a traditional English country pub. Vintage Inns offers over 190 stunning country pubs dotted all over the UK - just grab yourself a Vintage Inns voucher and you could cut the cost of an exciting escape. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful pint, a slap up roast dinner or even a cosy room for the night, Vintage Inns can make your country dreams come true.