"Tailored to Consumer Preferences" ... 'Color Kimchi Refrigerators' Selling Well This Fall

Lotte Hi-Mart's Sales Increase by 160% Year-on-Year in September-October
Color Products Expand from 10% to 30% of Total Kimchi Refrigerators

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] Ahead of the kimchi-making season, 'color kimchi refrigerators' that allow consumers to choose colors according to their preferences are gaining popularity. Like general refrigerators such as Samsung Electronics' 'Bespoke Series' and LG Electronics' 'Objet Collection', these kimchi refrigerators decorate the top panel in various colors, moving away from mainly white or metallic colors.

According to Lotte Hi-Mart on the 19th, since the launch of new products by manufacturers last month, sales of color kimchi refrigerators have increased by 160% compared to the same period last year (September 1 to October 18, 2020). During the same period, the proportion of color kimchi refrigerators among all kimchi refrigerators sold at Lotte Hi-Mart increased from 10% last year to about 30% this year.

Kim Tae-young, head of the Home Appliances Team 1 at Lotte Hi-Mart, said, "Kimchi refrigerators have become a trend as products that can serve as interior elements by allowing customers to choose various panel colors and materials according to the kitchen atmosphere. This year's new products not only feature design improvements but also enhanced additional functions, leading more customers to prefer color kimchi refrigerators."

This year's new kimchi refrigerator models have further enhanced design and user convenience. Samsung Electronics' new 'Bespoke Kimchi Plus' includes 'Kitchen Fit' products that allow interior matching with kitchen furniture without separate construction. This year, new models in the 420ℓ range were released, offering more size variety. By implementing a built-in style, a combination of two Kitchen Fit products?a refrigerator and a kimchi refrigerator?can provide a maximum capacity of 1035ℓ.

LG Electronics' 'Dios Kimchi Tok Tok Objet Collection' not only offers a variety of luxurious colors but also features an 'Artificial Intelligence (AI) Customized Storage' function that provides tailored storage methods according to nine types of packaged kimchi from leading domestic kimchi brands. Winia Dimchae's '2022 Dimchae' model features a colorful exterior and is equipped with a 'Bordeaux Special Room' specialized for storing wine, beer, and soju.

Lotte Hi-Mart is holding the 'Kimchi Refrigerator ALL-NEW Exhibition' until the 31st of this month. Customers who purchase old model kimchi refrigerators at offline stores nationwide using event cards can receive up to 300,000 KRW cashback in cash. Additionally, purchasing new products from participating brands offers up to 100,000 KRW in Lotte mobile gift certificates depending on the brand, and buying both a kimchi refrigerator and an air conditioner together with an event card provides up to 200,000 KRW cashback depending on the product.