S. Korean retail sales post modest gains in April

SEOUL, May 15 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's major discount outlets and department stores sold more products in April thanks to greater demand for groceries and sports items, a government report showed Friday.

Total sales at leading discount outlets edged up 0.1 percent on-year last month,
while department stores posted gains of 2.8 percent, the Ministry of Knowledge
Economy said.
It said solid sales for sporting goods, groceries and household products played a
key role in pushing up discount outlets' numbers last month.
Groceries, which account for more than half of all sales at large discount
stores, rose 4.7 percent in the cited period. Sporting goods and household
products also moved up 5.2 percent and 2.0 percent, respectively, while those for
clothing, electronics and miscellaneous goods dropped 4-11 percent.
"Warm weather caused a rise in demand for cold beverages, ice cream and outdoor
sporting items like clothes, which played a role in pushing up sales," a
government official said.
For department stores, the official said sales of luxury goods and groceries
fueled growth by jumping 19.3 percent and 8.4 percent each.
Sales of miscellaneous goods and sports-related products for children rose 7.2
percent and 2.7 percent on-year, with sales declining for clothing and household
goods.
Last month's slight gains reflect gradual improvements in the consumer sentiment
index released by the Bank of Korea, said the ministry in charge of the country's
industrial policy and commerce.
The index released by the central bank rose to 98 last month from 84 in March and
85 in February.
The monthly report, based on sales figures from the Lotte Mart, E-Mart and
Homeplus discount stores and the Lotte, Shinsegae and Hyundai department stores,
is a key indicator of consumer sentiment.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(EN