Lotte Department Store Surpasses 100 Billion KRW in Perfume Sales Last Year... 70% Growth in January

Over 40% Annual Growth Since COVID-19
Exclusive Perfume Sets Popular for Valentine's Day and New Semester
Purchase Benefits Including 5% Lotte Gift Certificate Provided

A customer is browsing perfumes at the 'Acqua di Parma' store in Lotte Department Store Main Branch.

[Asia Economy Reporter Yuri Kim] As masks have become essential due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, the popularity of perfumes is rising. Perfumes are analyzed to serve not only a functional role in self-decoration and expressing individuality but also an emotional recharge role that comforts the frustration and fatigue caused by COVID-19.

Lotte Department Store announced on the 9th that perfume sales have recorded an annual growth rate of over 40% compared to the previous year since COVID-19. Last year, sales reached 100 billion KRW for the first time. Last month, sales also grew about 70% compared to the same period last year, showing continuous growth. At the Jamsil branch, which newly introduced premium perfumes such as Creed, Trudon, and Perfumed Malley by establishing a separate 'Niche Perfume Zone' in May last year, perfume sales doubled compared to the same period before the renewal (May 2021 to January 2022).

Lotte Department Store is targeting gift demand in February by exclusively planning popular perfume sets and offering purchase benefits for Valentine's Day and the new school semester. Lotte Department Store exclusively presents the 'Silver Mountain Water Perfume (50ml) Set' together with Creed. Until the 13th, two types of 'Vial (1.5ml)' will be additionally given. In addition, planned products for Lotte Department Store customers are prepared from brands such as Aqua di Parma and Trudon.

Valentine's Day limited edition perfumes are also available. One of Diptyque's best-selling scents, 'Orph?on Eau de Parfum (70ml),' has been released as a Valentine's Day limited edition. Aqua di Parma is presenting a 'Car Diffuser (19g)' made in collaboration with the Italian leather specialist brand Poltrona Frau. Jo Malone London has released the 'Rose and Magnolia Limited Cologne (50ml).' From the 11th to the 13th, a promotional event will be held at Lotte Department Store, giving customers who purchase perfumes and cosmetics a 5% Lotte gift certificate based on the purchase amount.

As time spent at home has increased due to COVID-19, 'home fragrance' products such as diffusers are also gaining attention. Popular items include Jo Malone London's 'Lime Basil & Mandarin Scent Surround Diffuser' and Santa Maria Novella's 'Profumo per Ambiente.' Aqua di Parma's 'Glass Candle (200g) + Dedicated Reed Set' can be purchased at Lotte Department Store at about a 23% discount. L'Occitane's 'Cocoon de Serenit? Relaxing Pillow Mist' is also considered a popular product.

Body products are also popular. As the culture of enjoying 'hokangs' (hotel vacations) has become trendy, body product sales grew 42% compared to the previous year. Sabon's 'Body Scrub Musk (320g)' and the 25th-anniversary limited edition bath product 'Bath Ball Patchouli Lavender Vanilla (150g)' are popular. L'Occitane's 'Shea Butter Shower Cream Milk (250ml)' continues to be a beloved product.

Jung Su-yeon, head of the Makeup & Perfume Team at Lotte Department Store, said, "We will continue to discover and attract not only famous perfume brands but also new brands so that we can comfort customers' hearts with pleasant scents."