Popular Rare Plants and Wildflowers... 'Sikjipsa Festival' Held
Floral Platform and Garden Cafe Collaborate to Prepare 'Flower Market'
Parade and Magic Balloon Show Loved by Children Also Presented
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Yuri] Lotte’s suburban outlet, which has emerged as a popular weekend outing destination after the endemic phase (periodic outbreaks of infectious diseases), is presenting unique events for families to enjoy together this fall.
According to Lotte Department Store on the 22nd, sales at Lotte’s suburban outlets from May to August this year increased by more than 35% compared to the same period last year. This is the result of large crowds flocking to Lotte Outlets since social distancing measures were lifted in May. The giant Belly Bear exhibition at the Premium Outlet Time Villas branch attracted 30,000 visitors per day, gaining great popularity. At the Paju branch’s 'Piggy Town,' visitors of all ages, from young children to adults, continue to experience cultures and cuisines from various countries around the world. Many families visited the outlet through various events such as the 'Disney Princess Festival' held during the summer vacation season and the Chuseok holiday.
The suburban outlets are now evolving beyond simple shopping spaces into complex cultural spaces where the whole family can enjoy themselves. Lotte Outlet stated, "We expect the number of customers going on weekend outings to steadily increase, so we have planned various events including experiential activities, performances, and popular brand promotions that families can enjoy together."
The Premium Outlet Time Villas branch will hold the large-scale plant market 'Lotte Outlet Plant Butler Festival' from the 23rd to the 25th, gathering popular rare plants, flowers, wildflowers, air-purifying plants, and handmade clay pots all in one place. This event was planned based on the recent rise in 'home gardening' enjoyed by 'Plant Butlers (Sikjipsa, a combination of plant and butler)' who grow plants at home, and the spread of 'Plant Tech (Sikteck, a combination of plant and investment)' where rare plants are grown and resold for profit. Seven well-known domestic rare plant sellers, including Gardenholic, Kkachiplants, and Greenery Forest, will participate in the Lotte Outlet Plant Butler Festival. Visitors can find high-priced rare plants such as Monstera Alboana Yellow, Philodendron, Anthurium, and Epipremnum, with single leaves priced over 1 million KRW, as well as affordable rare plants priced between 20,000 and 30,000 KRW. The event also gathers products from eight famous handmade clay pot brands such as Mathias, Foot, and Sprout, making it one of the largest events in Korea where customers can purchase both plants and pots in one stop.
At this festival, the 'Flower Market' can also be found on the outdoor lawn plaza of Time Villas. Collaborating with the online flower platform Today's Flower, greenhouse garden cafe operator Oops a Daisy, and W Garden specializing in winter wildflowers, the market offers everything from bouquet sales to a 'My Own Plant Experience Space' where customers can select layered succulents themselves. Imported woods and wildflowers brought from overseas are also available at reasonable prices. Since the 1st of this month, the Time Villas branch has been operating the 'Lombard Garden' with an autumn garden concept in collaboration with the planter interior designer brand Macho’s Adolescence on the lawn plaza.
Meanwhile, the Premium Outlet Giheung branch has planned a 'Jazz Pop Festival' parade featuring costumes from the Gyeongseong era and swing jazz music reminiscent of La La Land, along with the 'Happy Balloon Magic Lamp Show,' a balloon art performance with Korea’s top magic balloon artist. At the Premium Outlet Paju branch, visitors can enjoy a dinosaur parade show featuring the dinosaur character Velo, utilizing the existing 'Pajuragi Park Dinosaur Exhibition.'
Discount events are also prepared. At the Premium Outlet Giheung branch, a golf fair featuring brands such as Le Coq Golf and Volvik offers popular products at up to 70% off. The Icheon branch will hold an Etro family sale, and the Paju branch will present discount events for Tommy Hilfiger and Hazzys.
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