Market research on consumer products, commercial industries, demo...
Market research on consumer products, commercial industries, demographics trends and consumer lifestyles in South Korea.
In 2023, the government reformed its electric vehicles subsidy plan, considering factors like price, vehicle performance, warranty infrastructure and battery energy. This is set to boost the electric vehicle market, especially favouring local brands.…
The smaller value category of sticking plasters/adhesive bandages continues to see further product differentiation and development through material diversification to attract consumers with innovative formats. For instance, JW Pharmaceutical has been…
Weight management and wellbeing is recording another positive performance in 2023 as local consumers continue on their weight loss journeys following the home seclusion trend of the pandemic, which resulted in sedentary lifestyles and weight gain for…
Despite some stabilising of retail volume growth in 2023, overall demand for vitamins in South Korea remains higher than pre-pandemic levels. Single vitamins, particularly vitamin C, have been popular since the emergence of COVID-19 as local…
As local consumers continue to enjoy greater freedom outside of the home and participate in outdoor activities such as running or cycling, there is increasing demand for sports nutrition products which can be consumed on the go. This is driving the…
The lingering impact of the pandemic, greater exposure to digital screens, and generally fast-paced lifestyles are continuing to affect the local population’s ability to relax and sleep, with heightened stress known to be a major factor impacting…
Value sales of premium and luxury cars rose by 23% to total KRW28.0 trillion in 2023, as more higher-income consumers in South Korea opted to buy a new luxury vehicle despite macroeconomic headwinds. Wealth determines the degree of demand that exists…
Personal luxury retail value sales increased by 12% in 2023 to amount to KRW22.0 trillion, supported by growth recorded by leading brand providers, such as Louis Vuitton Korea Ltd and Richemont Korea Ltd. 2023 sales growth was fuelled by individuals…
Paediatric vitamins and dietary supplements remains by far the largest value category within paediatric consumer health. Despite a decline in retail volume sales in 2023, heightened health awareness since the pandemic and parents’ approach to…
While overall smoking prevalence among the adult population continues to slowly decline in South Korea, demand for NRT smoking cessation aids is further falling, in line with pre-pandemic trends. NRT smoking cessation aids lost consumers’ interest…
Retail value sales of luxury goods in South Korea rose by 18% in 2023 in current terms, to stand at KRW50.7 trillion. A combination of consumer indulgence, the release of pent-up demand, and the resumption of key activities, including travelling,…
The popularity of functional foods for health that have received “individual recognition” from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety for specific functionality and safety has been gradually increasing in South Korea. In 2022, these products surpassed…
Value sales of fine wines/champagne and spirits grew by 8% to total KRW657.4 billion in 2023, boosted by consumers’ appetite for experiences and enjoyment after the pandemic. Enjoying a drink with a meal at home or when relaxing remains a key pastime…
Demand for standard eye care, the largest category in overall OTC eye care in South Korea, continues to improve in 2023, in line with heightened exposure to digital screens in everyday life, and a return to out-of-home activities, including the…
Consumer demand has been shifting from manufactured goods back towards services. Due to this, value sales of experiential luxury grew by 13% to amount to KRW642 million in 2023, boosted by wealthier individuals resuming their normal activities,…
Due to changes in dietary habits during the pandemic, such as the increase in delivery food, demand for certain digestive remedies exploded, while home seclusion during this time, resulting in sedentary lifestyles, supported the surge in demand for…
Ginseng remains by far the largest value category within dietary supplements in South Korea. As ginseng is well-known for its overall immunity support, this category is experiencing stable demand, whilst also remaining popular for gifting, with red…
Dermatologicals is a saturated category in South Korea and has lost some of its growth momentum in terms of retail volume sales. A lack of new product development is one factor hampering stronger growth for some products, whilst another is increasing…
Like analgesics, sales of cough, cold and allergy (hay fever) remedies continue to rise, benefiting from the “tripledemic” of rising COVID-19 cases, the stronger return of influenza due to greater mobility outside of the home and contact with others,…
The self-medication trend is growing in South Korea, supporting further sales growth for analgesics, and cough, cold and allergy (hay fever) remedies, especially since the prevalence of the “tripledemic” in the country, consisting of COVID-19,…