Retail in Asia

In Trends

How Korean retailers attract male customers

Man Shopping - Retail in Asia

Korea’s retailers are renovating their stores with so-called fun attractions to lure in more male customers, considering their demand as a future growth engine in sales.

Last year, nation’s largest retailer Shinsegae opened an electronics retailer franchise, Electro Mart. Unlike other electronics retailers such as Lotte Hi-Mart, Electro Mart focuses on so-called kidult demands.

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Rather than selling just home appliances, it concentrates on specific products such as drones, action figures and video games. Customers there are mostly men.

According to a company official, it is holding discussions with officials of Tesla Motors, the U.S-based electric car manufacturer, over an opening at Starfield Hanam shopping mall in Hanam. Both sides have already agreed to open a dealership on its second floor.

Korea’s second-largest discount retailer Home plus has built rooftop futsal parks at three of their stores. A number of male customers reportedly visit there not only for shopping but also to play football. Football lovers and local youth clubs also use the rooftop for leisure on weekends.

“Men have never been the center of the shopping mall business,” said an industry insider. “However, retailers are now focusing on their increasing demand for certain products.”

(Source: The Korea Times)