New Trends Emerging in the Moving-in Season
Popular Items Include Fabric Sofas and Robot Vacuum Cleaners
Since March, with the large-scale move-in of thousands of households in Imdong and Sinyong-dong, Gwangju, demand for home appliances and daily necessities is expected to increase. In particular, as the proportion of four-person families decreases, new trends replacing traditional large leather sofas have emerged, drawing attention to related products.
In response, Gwangju Shinsegae Co., Ltd. (CEO Lee Dong-hoon) has launched products tailored to consumer needs and is actively engaging customers.
In 30-pyeong apartments where four-person families reside, large leather sofas were essential. Recently, as the proportion of four-person families has declined and living rooms are increasingly used as multipurpose spaces, new types of sofas have appeared, attracting attention as alternatives to large leather sofas.
“Bomsohwa,” located on the basement first floor of Gwangju Shinsegae’s main building, is gaining attention for its patterned fabric sofas. The Bomsohwa “Dasaroi” product is made of patterned fabric material that can be cleaned with water, making maintenance easy. Thanks to natural cotton that minimizes dust, it is safe for people sensitive to dust, such as those with rhinitis. Additionally, it uses scratch-resistant materials, making it popular among households with pets. The sofa features a couch in the corner and a movable backrest, enhancing space utilization.
On the same floor, the “Yogibo” bean bag is also popular due to its ability to be transformed and moved according to the situation. Yogibo products, completed with patented technology, are sometimes called “magic sofas” because they make the body and mind comfortable when leaned on. The representative product, Yogibo Max, can be used as a sofa, chair, or bed. When not in use, it can be stood up, making it ideal for small spaces such as studio apartments. To celebrate the opening, the Yogibo store at Gwangju Shinsegae is running discount promotions on Midi Premium products and more.
Robot vacuum cleaners, which have rapidly become essential items for newlyweds, are also attracting high consumer interest. Among them, “Roborock” is known as a luxury brand of robot vacuum cleaners, maintaining strong consumer interest despite its relatively high price. The Roborock pop-up store, opened last August on the 8th floor of Gwangju Shinsegae, mainly attracts newlyweds and single-person households. Among the products, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra, priced at about 1.6 million KRW, receives over 10 inquiries per day on weekends, showing strong consumer response. Especially, customers who hesitated due to the high price often visit the store, try the product firsthand, and then purchase without hesitation, indicating high satisfaction. Gwangju Shinsegae Roborock is running a promotion discounting the S8 Pro Ultra from 1.69 million KRW to 1.57 million KRW and offering gifts worth 70,000 KRW, including dust filters and mop cloths, to customers who purchase the product.
As design trends spread, demand for induction cooktops has increased, replacing gas stoves. In fact, Gwangju Shinsegae’s “Rinnai” recorded a 40% sales increase in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period last year, receiving positive responses. Especially, the premium induction cooktop “Jubel,” featuring an optimal bezel ratio and hidden touch display, is praised for combining design and functionality with Korea’s highest 17-level heat control.
Kim Young-min, head of the lifestyle team at Gwangju Shinsegae, said, “As the number of family members decreases and lifestyles diversify, fabric sofas and robot vacuum cleaners are rising significantly. Gwangju Shinsegae will do its best to introduce trendy products and prepare abundant promotions to enhance customer satisfaction.”
Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Shin Dong-ho yjm3070@asiae.co.kr
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
