SEOUL, May 28 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's retail sale rose in single digits last month due to solid online demand for food, daily necessities and service, government data showed Wednesday.
Combined revenue for major offline and online retailers gained 7.0 percent in April from a year earlier, slower than an increase of 9.2 percent in the previous month, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.
Revenue for online retailers jumped 15.8 percent last month, maintaining a double-digit growth for the 20th straight month since September 2023.
Sales by offline retailers shrank 1.9 percent in April compared to the same month of last year after falling 7.7 percent in February and 0.2 percent in March.
Food demand in cyberspace surged 21.3 percent, and online sales of daily necessities climbed 7.7 percent.
Online demand for service, including travel, food delivery and e-coupon purchase, spiked 50.1 percent, but sales of sports items and clothing in cyberspace declined last month.
Demand for home appliances in offline stores dwindled 12.1 percent, and those for clothing, sports items, food and daily necessities reduced in single figures.
Revenue among discount outlets, department stores and convenience stores recorded a single-digit reduction last month. ■
