Throw Away Your Chuseok Belly Worries... Autumn Mountain Hiking for Deurinies

SSG.com Sees 68% Increase in Hiking Category Sales Two Weeks Before Chuseok
Gmarket Also Records 32% Growth Over One Month
Strong Performance from Hiking Shoes to Apparel

Black Yak photo shoot cut

[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Min-young] "This Chuseok, enjoy a healthy holiday with proper rest and food."

As the long Chuseok holiday approaches, interest in spending a healthy holiday is increasing. With the popularity of outdoor activities rising due to social distancing measures and the continuation of clear autumn weather, the popularity of hiking has also increased.

According to the industry on the 30th, hiking products are very popular in online malls. At SSG.com, the integrated online mall of Shinsegae Group, sales in the hiking and outdoor goods category increased by 68% compared to the previous month during the two weeks from the 15th to the 28th of this month. Sales of children's hiking shoes surged by 309%, followed by hiking shoes and trekking shoes at 105%, GPS and compasses at 83%, winter and cold-weather gear at 82%, hiking sticks at 68%, and hiking backpacks at 34%.

A similar trend was observed on Gmarket during the same period. From August 29 to September 28, total sales in the hiking and outdoor category increased by 32% compared to the same period last month. Sales of women's hiking apparel rose by 61%, hiking equipment by 53%, men's hiking apparel by 28%, hiking backpacks by 6%, and trekking shoes by 1%, all showing increased sales.

Redface 'Contra Chrome Hiking Shoes'

New terms such as 'Deungnini (hiking + child)' and 'Honsanjok (people who hike alone)' have also been coined. Due to the impact of COVID-19, indoor gyms and similar facilities closed, shifting interest in health towards outdoor activities. It is interpreted that more people are gaining emotional comfort from the nature-friendly hiking culture. Hiking, once considered exclusive to the 40s and 50s age group, has started gaining popularity among the MZ generation (a combination of Millennials and Generation Z), expanding the overall market size.

In fact, the number of members of the hiking-specialized social activity platform 'Black Yak Alpine Club (BAC)', operated by Black Yak, reached about 187,000 as of the 30th. This is 29,000 more than the approximately 158,000 members on June 1, representing an 18.3% increase over the past four months. BAC operates a total of seven hiking certification programs, including the '100 Famous Mountains Challenge', where members share photos.

A Black Yak official said, "While the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic is one factor, it seems people are finding the fun of climbing with friends, time to organize their thoughts, and healing in nature for various reasons," adding, "Hiking is beginning to be recognized not as a one-time event but as a way to find positive life and happiness."