Gwangju Shinsegae, Matteng Kim and Other New Brands Gain Popularity

Gwangju Shinsegae Co., Ltd. is attracting continuous foot traffic from 2030 consumers by introducing popular new brands. New brands such as 'Matin Kim' and 'Marith? Fran?ois Girbaud' are receiving positive responses, bringing vitality to the retail sector during the year-end shopping season.

The fashion brand 'Matin Kim,' which opened at Gwangju Shinsegae last October, is currently considered one of the hottest brands in the fashion industry. Starting as a blog market in 2015, it recorded annual sales of 50 billion KRW in 2022 and boasts a solid fandom to the extent of causing department store opening rushes.

This popularity is also reflected in actual sales achievement rates (sales growth rates). The Matin Kim store at Gwangju Shinsegae, which opened on October 11, recorded a sales achievement rate of 188%, with continuous consumer visits. Especially during the three-day discount event held from October 11 to commemorate the opening, daily sales reached six times the average of women's fashion brands, drawing a highly positive response.

At Matin Kim, located on the 5th floor of Gwangju Shinsegae, items such as the glossy material crop-down vest with a logo accent (258,000 KRW) and the mini leather buckle bag with a logo-engraved buckle on cowhide leather (168,000 KRW) are receiving favorable reactions.

The fashion brand 'Marith? Fran?ois Girbaud,' which was greatly loved in the 1990s, has also recently entered Gwangju Shinsegae and is attracting significant attention. Named after the designer couple Marith? and Fran?ois Girbaud, who are active in France, Marith? Fran?ois Girbaud is thriving on the newtro (new + retro) trend.

In the 1990s, Marith? Fran?ois Girbaud was considered a coveted brand among people in their teens and twenties despite its high price, as celebrities wore it. Denim products such as jeans were popular, making it a trendy item alongside brands like Calvin Klein. Recently, it has gained renewed attention with designs that meet the preferences of MZ consumers who favor comfortable clothing.

The designer brand 'INSILENCE' is also attracting steady consumer visits. Expanding its recognition by entering online fashion platforms, INSILENCE opened stores at Shinsegae Department Store Gangnam and Centum City locations, and in October, it also opened at Gwangju Shinsegae.

At INSILENCE, customers can find a variety of highly versatile outerwear such as down jackets and vegan leather jumpers, as well as various items like wool cargo stitch pants.

Lee Dong-hoon, CEO of Gwangju Shinsegae, said, "New brands like Matin Kim and Marith? Fran?ois Girbaud are making the customers visiting Gwangju Shinsegae noticeably younger," adding, "We hope these new brands will inject vitality into the retail sector, which is currently experiencing stagnation due to high inflation."

Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Shin Dong-ho yjm3070@asiae.co.kr