SEOUL, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- Retail sales in South Korea rose last month thanks to strong online sales, a government report showed Sunday.
Revenue among major retailers increased 8.4 percent in September from a year earlier, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. It was based on a survey of sales by 13 online and 13 offline retailers.
Online sales surged 22.8 percent, leading the overall recovery in private consumption. Offline sales rose 2.6 percent last month.
Direct sales by online retailers soared 46.2 percent, with those by online brokers growing 14.7 percent.
In the offline sector, sales by department stores increased 4.9 percent, with those by convenient stores gaining 12.1 percent. Sales by major discount outlets dropped 4.9 percent last month.
Convenient store sales kept a double-digit expansion on robust demand for food and beverage, including imported beer and convenience food. The number of convenient stores jumped 14.7 percent nationwide last month.
Discount outlet sales retreated on weak demand for miscellaneous items and housewares.
