SEOUL, March 25 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's retail sale grew in single digits last month due to strong online demand for food, daily necessities and service, government data showed Tuesday.
Combined revenue for major offline and online retailers gained 4.4 percent in February from a year earlier, slower than an increase of 11.7 percent in the previous month, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.
Revenue for online retailers jumped 16.7 percent last month, maintaining a double-digit growth for the 18th straight month since September 2023.
Sales by offline retailers declined 7.7 percent in February compared to the same month of last year after expanding 8.8 percent in January.
Food demand in cyberspace soared 14.9 percent, and online sales of daily necessities increased 7.9 percent.
Online demand for service, including travel, food delivery and e-coupon purchase, spiked 76.3 percent, but sales of clothes and sports items in cyberspace reduced in single figures.
Food demand in offline stores dropped 12.3 percent, while those for home appliances and sports times decreased in double digits.
Revenue among discount outlets logged a double-digit reduction, with sales by department stores and convenience stores falling in single digits last month. ■
