SEOUL, Aug. 27 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's retail sales 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 9.1 percent in July from a year earlier, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.
Revenue among online retailers jumped 15.3 percent in the cited month, while sales by offline retailers swelled 2.7 percent in July after sliding 1.1 percent in the previous month.
It came after the new government of President Lee Jae-myung, who took office in early June, carried out the extra budget plan to provide cash handouts, which was aimed at bolstering consumer demand.
Food demand in cyberspace soared 24.2 percent, and online sales of daily necessities expanded 10.0 percent.
Online demand for service, including travel, food delivery and e-coupon purchase, surged 24.9 percent, with sales of cosmetics and baby supplies going up in double digits.
Demand for home appliances and clothing in offline stores shrank in single figures, but offline sales of food, sports items, daily necessities and service grew last month.
Revenue among department and convenience stores climbed 5.1 percent and 3.9 percent each, but sales in discount outlets recorded a single-digit reduction. ■
