"Lotte Department Store Expands 'Niche Perfume' Brands as Consumers Seek New Scents"

An employee at the True Dong store, a new niche perfume brand at Jamsil AvenueL, is introducing products to a customer.

Niche Perfume Sales Grew 21% Last Year, Up 61% from January to April This Year
Perfume Sales Over 300,000 KRW Doubled This Month
On the 7th, Jamsil Branch Avenuel Perfume Store Doubled in Size, Opening True Dong, Maison 21G, and More
On the 15th, Yeongdeungpo Branch Introduces Vegan and Eco-Friendly Niche Perfume Brands Aligned with Latest Trends

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Yuri] Lotte Department Store announced on the 10th that it is actively expanding perfume store space and attracting new brands in response to the growing popularity of niche perfumes.

As mask-wearing continues for a prolonged period, more people are expressing their individuality through scent instead of makeup. Additionally, with fewer overseas trips, high-end perfumes and other personal luxury items have gained popularity, leading to continuous growth in perfume sales.

Last year, Lotte Department Store's niche perfume sales increased by 21% compared to the previous year, and from January to April this year, sales rose by 61%. With Family Month approaching, customers seeking high-end gifts have increased, and from May 1st for one week, sales of niche perfumes priced on average over 300,000 KRW, such as Creed, True Dong, and Fr?d?ric Malle, more than doubled.

Fragrances are difficult to express through videos or writing, and even the same scent can manifest slightly differently depending on a person's body temperature and other factors. Especially since niche perfumes are high-priced, ranging from 200,000 to 400,000 KRW, many customers prefer to visit stores in person to make purchases. Accordingly, Lotte Department Store explained that it is actively onboarding new niche perfume brands that attract customer visits.

On the 7th, the Jamsil Branch Avenuel opened a niche perfume zone on the basement first floor, featuring a total of 10 brands and approximately 298㎡ (about 90 pyeong) in size. The related store area was doubled, and seven new brands were introduced. Visitors can experience brands such as 'Creed,' a French traditional perfumer family brand; 'True Dong,' the world's oldest candle brand; 'Maison 21G,' which allows creation of unique personalized perfumes; and 'Perfumed Malie,' embodying the elegance of the French royal family.

On the 15th, the Yeongdeungpo Branch will newly introduce 'Le Couvent,' a French vegan niche perfume aligned with clean and vegan beauty trends, and 'The Different Company,' crafted by star perfumer Jean-Claude Ellena, on the third floor. 'The Different Company' is known for its eco-friendly policies, offering refillable 100ml products across all lines, and glass bottles that can be reused semi-permanently.

In addition, Lotte Department Store plans to discover various niche perfumes and open additional stores at the main branch and Jamsil Branch. The upcoming Dongtan Branch, scheduled to open this year, will also introduce Lotte Department Store's signature perfume zoning, 'Perfume Island,' where customers can experience and purchase a variety of niche perfumes in one place.

Jung Su-yeon, Chief Buyer (Senior Product Planner) at Lotte Department Store, said, "Through various niche perfume brands from Europe, known as the birthplace of perfume, we aim to deliver the excitement of travel to customers who cannot travel. We will continue to proactively introduce unique perfumes that align with trends."