Our site uses cookies to improve functionality. If you are happy with this select "Accept All". If not, select "Manage Preferences" to learn more about managing your cookie preferences. Follow this link to learn more about our cookie policy and how we use cookies. Or learn more about our privacy policy and how we use and store your data.

Retail in South Korea

March 2023
Select Country Report
USD 2,450
Request More Information

Delivery:

Files are delivered directly into your account soon after payment is received and any tax is certification is verified (where applicable).

This report comes in PDF with additional info in Excel included.

Overview:

Understand the latest market trends and future growth opportunities for the Retailing industry in South Korea with research from Euromonitor International's team of in-country analysts – experts by industry and geographic specialisation.

Key trends are clearly and succinctly summarised alongside the most current research data available. Understand and assess competitive threats and plan corporate strategy with our qualitative analysis, insight and confident growth projections.

Data and analysis in this report provides further detailed coverage dedicated to the following key categories, where applicable:

  • Convenience Stores
  • Discounters
  • Hypermarkets
  • Supermarkets
  • Traditional Grocery Retailers
  • Apparel and Footwear Specialist Retailers
  • Electronics and Appliance Specialist Retailers
  • Health and Beauty Specialist Retailers
  • Home and Garden Specialist Retailers
  • Department Stores
  • Variety Stores
  • Warehouse Clubs
  • Direct Selling
  • Homeshopping
  • Vending

If you're in the Retailing industry in South Korea, our research will help you to make informed, intelligent decisions; to recognise and profit from opportunity, or to offer resilience amidst market uncertainty.

The Retailing in South Korea report includes:

  • Analysis of key supply-side and demand trends
  • Detailed segmentation of international and local products
  • Historic volume and value sizes, company and brand market shares
  • Five year forecasts of market trends and market growth
  • Robust and transparent research methodology, conducted in-country

This report answers:

  • What is the market size of Retailing in South Korea?
  • Which are the leading retailers in Retailing in South Korea?
  • How are products distributed in Retailing in South Korea?
  • How is the rise of e-commerce and the expansion of modern grocery retail impacting traditional retail?
  • How significant are discounters and private label in South Korea?
  • How has the impact of COVID-19 and national lockdown impacted consumer demand?
  • Which formats have benefited the most from stockpiling and enforced home seclusion?
  • How will the wider economic impact of COVID-19 shape the retail landscape in the future?
  • Where is future growth expected to be most dynamic?
Download Table of Contents

Retail in South Korea

Retail in 2022: The big picture
Quick commerce and fresh food are retailers’ key strategic focuses
Specialist stores are evolving into “total lifestyle” stores
What next for retail?
Informal retail
Opening hours for physical retail
Summary 1 Standard Opening Hours by Channel Type 2022
Seasonality
Summer Sale
Korea Sale Festa
Table 1 Sales in Retail by Retail Offline vs Retail E-Commerce: Value 2017-2022
Table 2 Sales in Retail by Retail Offline vs Retail E-Commerce: % Value Growth 2017-2022
Table 3 Sales in Retail Offline by Channel: Value 2017-2022
Table 4 Sales in Retail Offline by Channel: % Value Growth 2017-2022
Table 5 Retail Offline Outlets by Channel: Units 2017-2022
Table 6 Retail Offline Outlets by Channel: % Unit Growth 2017-2022
Table 7 Sales in Retail E-Commerce by Product: Value 2017-2022
Table 8 Sales in Retail E-Commerce by Product: % Value Growth 2017-2022
Table 9 Grocery Retailers: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2017-2022
Table 10 Grocery Retailers: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2017-2022
Table 11 Sales in Grocery Retailers by Channel: Value 2017-2022
Table 12 Sales in Grocery Retailers by Channel: % Value Growth 2017-2022
Table 13 Grocery Retailers Outlets by Channel: Units 2017-2022
Table 14 Grocery Retailers Outlets by Channel: % Unit Growth 2017-2022
Table 15 Non-Grocery Retailers: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2017-2022
Table 16 Non-Grocery Retailers: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2017-2022
Table 17 Sales in Non-Grocery Retailers by Channel: Value 2017-2022
Table 18 Sales in Non-Grocery Retailers by Channel: % Value Growth 2017-2022
Table 19 Non-Grocery Retailers Outlets by Channel: Units 2017-2022
Table 20 Non-Grocery Retailers Outlets by Channel: % Unit Growth 2017-2022
Table 21 Retail GBO Company Shares: % Value 2018-2022
Table 22 Retail GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2019-2022
Table 23 Retail Offline GBO Company Shares: % Value 2018-2022
Table 24 Retail Offline GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2019-2022
Table 25 Retail Offline LBN Brand Shares: Outlets 2019-2022
Table 26 Retail E-Commerce GBO Company Shares: % Value 2018-2022
Table 27 Retail E-Commerce GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2019-2022
Table 28 Grocery Retailers GBO Company Shares: % Value 2018-2022
Table 29 Grocery Retailers GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2019-2022
Table 30 Grocery Retailers LBN Brand Shares: Outlets 2019-2022
Table 31 Non-Grocery Retailers GBO Company Shares: % Value 2018-2022
Table 32 Non-Grocery Retailers GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2019-2022
Table 33 Non-Grocery Retailers LBN Brand Shares: Outlets 2019-2022
Table 34 Forecast Sales in Retail by Retail Offline vs Retail E-Commerce: Value 2022-2027
Table 35 Forecast Sales in Retail by Retail Offline vs Retail E-Commerce: % Value Growth 2022-2027
Table 36 Forecast Sales in Retail Offline by Channel: Value 2022-2027
Table 37 Forecast Sales in Retail Offline by Channel: % Value Growth 2022-2027
Table 38 Forecast Retail Offline Outlets by Channel: Units 2022-2027
Table 39 Forecast Retail Offline Outlets by Channel: % Unit Growth 2022-2027
Table 40 Forecast Sales in Retail E-Commerce by Product: Value 2022-2027
Table 41 Forecast Sales in Retail E-Commerce by Product: % Value Growth 2022-2027
Table 42 Grocery Retailers Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2022-2027
Table 43 Grocery Retailers Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2022-2027
Table 44 Forecast Sales in Grocery Retailers by Channel: Value 2022-2027
Table 45 Forecast Sales in Grocery Retailers by Channel: % Value Growth 2022-2027
Table 46 Forecast Grocery Retailers Outlets by Channel: Units 2022-2027
Table 47 Forecast Grocery Retailers Outlets by Channel: % Unit Growth 2022-2027
Table 48 Non-Grocery Retailers Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2022-2027
Table 49 Non-Grocery Retailers Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2022-2027
Table 50 Forecast Sales in Non-Grocery Retailers by Channel: Value 2022-2027
Table 51 Forecast Sales in Non-Grocery Retailers by Channel: % Value Growth 2022-2027
Table 52 Forecast Non-Grocery Retailers Outlets by Channel: Units 2022-2027
Table 53 Forecast Non-Grocery Retailers Outlets by Channel: % Unit Growth 2022-2027

DISCLAIMER

Summary 2 Research Sources

Convenience Retailers in South Korea

KEY DATA FINDINGS

Continued healthy growth for convenience stores as all social-distancing rules are lifted
Competition remains strong between new leader CH and GS25
Convenience stores expanding their service scope to attract a wider range of consumers
Changing consumer shopping behaviour will help drive further growth at convenience retailers
Stores with hybrid operation, including unstaffed night shifts, seen as a good cost-cutting measure
Quick commerce expected to remain a key strategic focus
Table 54 Convenience Retailers: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2017-2022
Table 55 Convenience Retailers: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2017-2022
Table 56 Sales in Convenience Retailers by Channel: Value 2017-2022
Table 57 Sales in Convenience Retailers by Channel: % Value Growth 2017-2022
Table 58 Convenience Retailers GBO Company Shares: % Value 2018-2022
Table 59 Convenience Retailers GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2019-2022
Table 60 Convenience Retailers LBN Brand Shares: Outlets 2019-2022
Table 61 Convenience Retailers Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2022-2027
Table 62 Convenience Retailers Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2022-2027
Table 63 Forecast Sales in Convenience Retailers by Channel: Value 2022-2027
Table 64 Forecast Sales in Convenience Retailers by Channel: % Value Growth 2022-2027

Supermarkets in South Korea

KEY DATA FINDINGS

Supermarkets suffer from losing a competitive edge against convenience stores, hypermarkets and e-commerce
Leading retailers could expand their outlet networks to establish a wider reach for their quick-commerce services
Market-testing for bank-retail hybrid outlets begins
The profit potential of quick commerce remains to seen
Naver to enter the quick-commerce market in partnership with supermarkets
Homeplus Express outlets revamped to become fresh food and ready meal specialists
Table 65 Supermarkets: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2017-2022
Table 66 Supermarkets: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2017-2022
Table 67 Supermarkets GBO Company Shares: % Value 2018-2022
Table 68 Supermarkets GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2019-2022
Table 69 Supermarkets LBN Brand Shares: Outlets 2019-2022
Table 70 Supermarkets Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2022-2027
Table 71 Supermarkets Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2022-2027

Hypermarkets in South Korea

KEY DATA FINDINGS

Sales stagnating at hypermarkets in 2022 due to competition from convenience stores and operating restrictions
Current economic constraints see retailers choosing “outlet renewals” over new store openings
“Half-price” sales rise as a key marketing tactic to attract cost-conscious consumers
Private label home meal replacements expected to be a key sales development area at hypermarkets
Hypermarkets to increase the use of local produce and diversify sourcing markets due to the weak won
National discussion on the relaxation of the Sunday closure mandate expected to continue
Table 72 Hypermarkets: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2017-2022
Table 73 Hypermarkets: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2017-2022
Table 74 Hypermarkets GBO Company Shares: % Value 2018-2022
Table 75 Hypermarkets GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2019-2022
Table 76 Hypermarkets LBN Brand Shares: Outlets 2019-2022
Table 77 Hypermarkets Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2022-2027
Table 78 Hypermarkets Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2022-2027

Discounters in South Korea

KEY DATA FINDINGS

No Brand recording growth as consumers turn to value-for-money private label in the economic downturn
No Brand puts efforts into attracting consumers with trendy yet economical SKUs
No Brand introduces a retail-bank hybrid outlet
High barriers hinder new players from entering the channel
Major retailers likely to leverage warehouse clubs as an alternative revenue channel to counter sales slowdown amid economic downturn
CostCo to open its first outlet in the southeastern part of South Korea in 2024
Table 79 Discounters: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2017-2022
Table 80 Discounters: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2017-2022
Table 81 Discounters GBO Company Shares: % Value 2018-2022
Table 82 Discounters GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2019-2022
Table 83 Discounters LBN Brand Shares: Outlets 2019-2022
Table 84 Discounters Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2022-2027
Table 85 Discounters Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2022-2027

Small Local Grocers in South Korea

KEY DATA FINDINGS

Small local grocers continue to struggle due to consumers shifting to modern retailing and e-commerce
Regional governments’ efforts to revitalise small local grocers continue
E-com giant Coupang supporting small local grocers with digitalisation and delivery
Difficult outlook for small local grocers despite government-led support
Coupang’s support for small local grocers will further expand via partnerships with the government
NACUFOK’s new initiative is expected to help boost the revitalisation of traditional markets
Table 86 Small Local Grocers: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2017-2022
Table 87 Small Local Grocers: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2017-2022
Table 88 Small Local Grocers GBO Company Shares: % Value 2018-2022
Table 89 Small Local Grocers GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2019-2022
Table 90 Small Local Grocers LBN Brand Shares: Outlets 2019-2022
Table 91 Small Local Grocers Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2022-2027
Table 92 Small Local Grocers Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2022-2027

General Merchandise Stores in South Korea

KEY DATA FINDINGS

Lifting of social-distancing and mask-mandate measures boosts apparel and beauty sales at general merchandise stores
Companies push through store renewals targeting “young and rich” consumers as the post-pandemic period begins
The “Very Important Baby” (VIB) trend contributes to boost department store sales despite economic constraints
The sales boom may be short-lived as the recession risks spread
Luxury brands to increasingly open single-category outlets within department stores to create multiple customer access points
Variety stores to focus on category expansion to diversify sales streams
Table 93 General Merchandise Stores: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2017-2022
Table 94 General Merchandise Stores: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2017-2022
Table 95 Sales in General Merchandise Stores by Channel: Value 2017-2022
Table 96 Sales in General Merchandise Stores by Channel: % Value Growth 2017-2022
Table 97 General Merchandise Stores GBO Company Shares: % Value 2018-2022
Table 98 General Merchandise Stores GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2019-2022
Table 99 General Merchandise Stores LBN Brand Shares: Outlets 2019-2022
Table 100 General Merchandise Stores Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2022-2027
Table 101 General Merchandise Stores Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2022-2027
Table 102 Forecast Sales in General Merchandise Stores by Channel: Value 2022-2027
Table 103 Forecast Sales in General Merchandise Stores by Channel: % Value Growth 2022-2027

Apparel and Footwear Specialists in South Korea

KEY DATA FINDINGS

Further recovery as pandemic restrictions are fully lifted and consumers resume outdoor activities
Sports apparel and footwear are key drivers for sales expansion
Standalone boutiques are losing ground to department stores in luxury brands
Macroeconomic issues will remain key constraints to growth in the immediate future
Private label lines from e-commerce players and hypermarkets a threat to apparel and footwear specialists
Growth in golf apparel and footwear sales likely to decline due to the waning popularity of the sport among Gen Z consumers
Table 104 Apparel and Footwear Specialists: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2017-2022
Table 105 Apparel and Footwear Specialists: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2017-2022
Table 106 Apparel and Footwear Specialists GBO Company Shares: % Value 2018-2022
Table 107 Apparel and Footwear Specialists GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2019-2022
Table 108 Apparel and Footwear Specialists LBN Brand Shares: Outlets 2019-2022
Table 109 Apparel and Footwear Specialists Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2022-2027
Table 110 Apparel and Footwear Specialists Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2022-2027

Appliances and Electronics Specialists in South Korea

KEY DATA FINDINGS

Appliances and electronics specialists continuing to lose sales to e-commerce and department stores
Specialists are evolving into “total living retailers” to expand customer touchpoints
Grocery retailer Homeplus launches small appliances specialist Electronics Lounge to enhance its competitiveness against rivals Lotte and E-Mart
Specialist chains are undergoing restructuring for cost-management purposes in a declining channel
Small kitchen appliances will drive sales as consumers cut down on dining-out costs and replicate restaurant/café experiences at home
Specialists will promote their private label lines to compete on price with online retailers
Table 111 Appliances and Electronics Specialists: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2017-2022
Table 112 Appliances and Electronics Specialists: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2017-2022
Table 113 Appliances and Electronics Specialists GBO Company Shares: % Value 2018-2022
Table 114 Appliances and Electronics Specialists GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2019-2022
Table 115 Appliances and Electronics Specialists LBN Brand Shares: Outlets 2019-2022
Table 116 Appliances and Electronics Specialists Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2022-2027
Table 117 Appliances and Electronics Specialists Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2022-2027

Home Products Specialists in South Korea

KEY DATA FINDINGS

Sales decline with consumers spending less time at home and a stalling housing market
Homewares and home furnishing stores are losing sales to e-commerce players
Shinsegae’s Casamia opens a premium furniture store combined with an art gallery
Stalled housing market and tough economic climate will see sales continue declining in 2023
Naver planning to launch furniture fulfilment operations
IKEA to open a new outlet in Daegu
Table 118 Home Products Specialists: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2017-2022
Table 119 Home Products Specialists: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2017-2022
Table 120 Sales in Home Products Specialists by Channel: Value 2017-2022
Table 121 Sales in Home Products Specialists by Channel: % Value Growth 2017-2022
Table 122 Home Products Specialists GBO Company Shares: % Value 2018-2022
Table 123 Home Products Specialists GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2019-2022
Table 124 Home Products Specialists LBN Brand Shares: Outlets 2019-2022
Table 125 Home Products Specialists Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2022-2027
Table 126 Home Products Specialists Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2022-2027
Table 127 Forecast Sales in Home Products Specialists by Channel: Value 2022-2027
Table 128 Forecast Sales in Home Products Specialists by Channel: % Value Growth 2022-2027

Health and Beauty Specialists in South Korea

KEY DATA FINDINGS

Pharmacies driving sales due to the surge in Omicron cases
Olive Young continues to dominate health and personal care store sales, with competitors shutting down
Standalone outlets will continue to lose sales to department stores, health and personal care stores and e-commerce
Pharmacies growth to slow down as COVID-19 cases are declining
Olive Young to evolve into a “lifestyle store”, moving beyond just health and beauty
Variety store banner JAJU setting up a wellness specialist store network
Table 129 Health and Beauty Specialists: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2017-2022
Table 130 Health and Beauty Specialists: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2017-2022
Table 131 Sales in Health and Beauty Specialists by Channel: Value 2017-2022
Table 132 Sales in Health and Beauty Specialists by Channel: % Value Growth 2017-2022
Table 133 Health and Beauty Specialists GBO Company Shares: % Value 2018-2022
Table 134 Health and Beauty Specialists GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2019-2022
Table 135 Health and Beauty Specialists LBN Brand Shares: Outlets 2019-2022
Table 136 Health and Beauty Specialists Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space 2022-2027
Table 137 Health and Beauty Specialists Forecasts: Value Sales, Outlets and Selling Space: % Growth 2022-2027
Table 138 Forecast Sales in Health and Beauty Specialists by Channel: Value 2022-2027
Table 139 Forecast Sales in Health and Beauty Specialists by Channel: % Value Growth 2022-2027

Vending in South Korea

KEY DATA FINDINGS

Healthy sales growth in 2022 as consumers resume outdoor activities post-pandemic
Options for vending are expanding, even covering meat and gold
Vending machines offering quick meals gaining traction among both consumers and operators
Hotel amenities vending machines to increase as the government introduces a ban on single-use amenities in hotels
OTC drug vending machines are entering a test stage before a decision is made on a full official roll-out
Vending machines to feature in unmanned conveniences stores
Table 140 Vending by Product: Value 2017-2022
Table 141 Vending by Product: % Value Growth 2017-2022
Table 142 Vending GBO Company Shares: % Value 2018-2022
Table 143 Vending GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2019-2022
Table 144 Vending Forecasts by Product: Value 2022-2027
Table 145 Vending Forecasts by Product: % Value Growth 2022-2027

Direct Selling in South Korea

KEY DATA FINDINGS

Only sluggish growth seen in 2022 as sales fail to recover to their pre-pandemic levels
Atomy begins early-morning delivery for fresh foods and HMRs
Amway Korea and its local production partner open a new facility for Nutrilite
Direct sellers need to find ways to attract younger customers
Able C&C, the owner of the K-beauty brand Michaa, enters direct selling
Direct sellers to further develop an ESG approach for their business
Table 146 Direct Selling by Product: Value 2017-2022
Table 147 Direct Selling by Product: % Value Growth 2017-2022
Table 148 Direct Selling GBO Company Shares: % Value 2018-2022
Table 149 Direct Selling GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2019-2022
Table 150 Direct Selling Forecasts by Product: Value 2022-2027
Table 151 Direct Selling Forecasts by Product: % Value Growth 2022-2027

Retail E-Commerce in South Korea

KEY DATA FINDINGS

E-commerce continues to grow
Sales are increasingly centralised among the big three e-commerce giants
E-tailers focus on luxury and beauty as the sales momentum from COVID-19 begins to wane
Cross-border e-commerce to act as a new sales driver in the post-pandemic period
Fulfilment capacity will be a key competitive tool among the big three e-commerce giants
Video streaming platforms to grow live commerce as a key strategic feature
Table 152 Retail E-Commerce by Product and Category: Value 2017-2022
Table 153 Retail E-Commerce by Product and Category: % Value Growth 2017-2022
Table 154 Retail E-Commerce GBO Company Shares: % Value 2018-2022
Table 155 Retail E-Commerce GBN Brand Shares: % Value 2019-2022
Table 156 Forecast Retail E-Commerce by Product and Category: Value 2022-2027
Table 157 Forecast Retail E-Commerce by Product and Category: % Value Growth 2022-2027
The following categories and subcategories are included:

Retailing

      • Fashion Vending
      • Health and Beauty Vending
      • Appliances and Electronics Vending
        • Alcoholic Drinks Vending
        • Hot Drinks Vending
        • Soft Drinks Vending
        • Tobacco Products Vending
      • Foods Vending
      • Home Products Vending
      • Other Products Vending
        • Apparel and Footwear Direct Selling
        • Personal Accessories Direct Selling
        • Eyewear Direct Selling
        • Beauty and Personal Care Direct Selling
        • Consumer Health Direct Selling
        • Tissue and Hygiene Direct Selling
        • Consumer Appliances Direct Selling
        • Consumer Electronics Direct Selling
        • Toys and Games Direct Selling
      • Drinks and Tobacco Direct Selling
      • Foods Direct Selling
        • Home Care Direct Selling
        • Home and Garden Direct Selling
        • Pet Care Direct Selling
      • Other Products Direct Selling
        • Apparel and Footwear E-Commerce
        • Personal Accessories E-Commerce
        • Eyewear E-Commerce
        • Beauty and Personal Care E-Commerce
        • Consumer Health E-Commerce
        • Tissue and Hygiene E-Commerce
        • Consumer Appliances E-Commerce
        • Consumer Electronics E-Commerce
        • Toys and Games E-Commerce
      • Drinks and Tobacco E-Commerce
      • Foods E-Commerce
        • Home Care E-Commerce
        • Home and Garden E-Commerce
        • Pet Care E-Commerce
      • Other Products E-Commerce
        • First-Party (1P) Marketplace E-Commerce
        • Third-Party (3P) Marketplace E-Commerce
      • Grocery E-Commerce
      • General Merchandiser E-Commerce
      • Apparel and Footwear Specialist E-Commerce
      • Appliances and Electronics Specialist E-Commerce
      • Home Products Specialist E-Commerce
      • Health and Beauty Specialist E-Commerce
      • Leisure and Personal Goods Specialist E-Commerce
      • Other E-Commerce Retailers

Retailing

Retail is the sale of new and used goods to consumers from a business for personal or household consumption from retail outlets, kiosks, market stalls, vending, direct selling and e-commerce. Retail is the aggregation of Retail Offline and Retail E-Commerce. Excludes specialist retailers of motor vehicles, motorcycles, vehicle parts. Also excludes fuel sales, foodservice sales, rental transactions, and wholesale sales (e.g. Cash and Carry). Sales value excluding or including VAT/Sales Tax. Retail also excludes the informal retail sector. Informal retailing is retail trade which is not declared to the tax authorities. Informal retailing encompasses (a) sales generated by unregistered and unlicensed retailers, i.e. retailers operating illegally, and (b) any proportion of sales generated by a registered and licensed retailer that is not declared to the tax authorities. Unregistered and unlicensed retailers operate predominantly (although not exclusively) as street hawkers or operate open market stalls, as these channels are harder for the authorities to monitor than permanent outlets. Activities in the illegal market, which is usually understood to refer to trade in illegal, counterfeit or stolen merchandise, are included within our definition of informal retailing. Activities in the “grey market”, which is usually understood to refer to trade in legal merchandise that is sold through unauthorized channels – for example cigarettes bought legally in another country, legally imported, but sold at lower prices than in authorized channels – will be included as informal retailing if no tax is paid on sale by the retailer. However if the retailer pays tax – for example on cigarettes bought legally in another country but sold at a lower price than standard – the sale is included within formal retail.

See All of Our Definitions
Share:

Why buy this report?

  • Gain competitive intelligence about market leaders
  • Track key industry trends, opportunities and threats
  • Inform your marketing, brand, strategy and market development, sales and supply functions

This report originates from Passport, our Retailing research and analysis database.

NEW REPORT GUARANTEE

If you purchase a report that is updated in the next 60 days, we will send you the new edition and data extraction Free!

© 2023 Euromonitor is privately owned & trademarked. VAT No. GB: 239-2559-40 Registered in England No. 1040587