Main Sales Begin on September 14
Premium Meat, Fruit, and Seafood Carefully Selected
Limited Editions and Rarity Take Center Stage
The department store industry is launching the main sales of Chuseok gift sets, building on the momentum created by pre-orders.
Models are introducing Chuseok gift sets at the food hall on the basement first floor of Lotte Department Store Jamsil Branch in Jamsil-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul. Photo by Lotte Department Store
According to industry sources on September 14, Lotte Department Store has enhanced the quality of its premium "L Premier" gift set line for the main sales period, which runs from September 15 to October 4. This Chuseok, the "L Premier Female Hanwoo" line has been expanded, with supply increased by 10% compared to last year. Only the top 1% of 1++(9) grade female Hanwoo beef, selected for superior meat yield, is aged for more than 15 days to further improve quality and maximize the signature tenderness of female Hanwoo. The "L Premier Female Hanwoo Luxury Gift" (priced at 3 million won), which features only rare and prized cuts, will be limited to 100 sets.
For fruits, the selection criteria for sweetness have been raised by 1 to 2 brix, and only the largest, most visually appealing fruits have been chosen. A representative product is the "L Premier Premium Collection Shine Mix" (priced between 250,000 and 270,000 won), which combines "Hongro Apple," "Golden Apple," and "Shingo Pear" with "Shine Muscat" grapes, limited to 50 sets. In the seafood category, freshness has been improved through "rapid freezing." The "Jeju Traditional Okdom and Silver Hairtail" (priced at 650,000 won), featuring extra-large okdom and silver hairtail caught in season off the coast of Jeju and quickly frozen to maintain peak freshness, is a highlight. Additionally, the "Imperial Caviar" (priced at 400,000 won), featuring only the brightest and largest eggs from the Beluga breed, will be limited to 50 units.
Furthermore, in collaboration with Hanwoo farms in Haenam, Jeollanam-do, Lotte has launched the industry's first "Excellent Bloodline Hanwoo Royal" (priced at 740,000 won). To address the tight supply of top 1% domestic wild pine mushrooms due to wildfires in the Yeongnam region, new cultivation sites have been secured, and the "Selected Wild Pine Mushrooms from Gangwon-do" (priced according to market rates) will also be offered. In the liquor category, the "The Glenlivet 55-Year Eternal Collection" single malt whisky, which boasts the longest aging in the brand's history since its founding in 1842, will be sold exclusively in a single bottle at a price of 131 million won.
A model from Shinsegae Department Store is introducing Chuseok gift sets. Photo by Shinsegae Department Store
Shinsegae Department Store will also open special Chuseok gift set sections at 13 locations nationwide and begin main sales. The flagship "5-STAR" line is aimed at meeting premium demand. Key products include the "5-STAR Luxury Hanwoo The No.9" (priced at 2.5 million won), "5-STAR Luxury Select Farm Hamper" (priced between 340,000 and 360,000 won), and "5-STAR Luxury Traditional Gulbi Extra Grade" (priced at 1.2 million won).
The "Shinsegae Female Hanwoo" gift set, the only Hanwoo brand among retailers, will see supply increased by over 20% this Chuseok. Despite significant cold damage and wildfires affecting fruit production this year, Shinsegae has diversified sourcing for its "Shinsegae Select Farm" fruit sets by having buyers visit production areas nationwide, thereby mitigating price volatility. Additionally, by directly managing cultivation, distribution, and sales through Select Farm, the focus is on controlling both price and quality. For seafood, buyers have secured nearly 10% more supply this year through advance purchase contracts and other measures.
This Chuseok, Shinsegae Department Store will also exclusively offer gift sets from its high-end food hall, "House of Shinsegae." Available sets include the Yoon Haeundae Galbi Set (priced at 300,000 won), made from 1+ grade or higher Hanwoo short ribs carefully selected by Yoon Haeundae Galbi; the Soy Sauce Marinated Crab with Roe (priced at 150,000 won) from Korean-style sushi house Kim Susa; and the Hanwoo Bulgogi Set (priced at 150,000 won) from Jajuhan Sang.
A model for Hyundai Department Store is introducing Chuseok gift sets. Photo by Hyundai Department Store
From September 16 to October 5, Hyundai Department Store will hold main sales events simultaneously at food halls in all stores nationwide, including Apgujeong Main Store, as well as on its online platforms The Hyundai.com, Hyundai Food Hall TwoHome, and Hyundai H Mall. During this period, more than 1,500 types of gift sets will be available, including meat, seafood, fruit, alcoholic beverages, and health foods.
In the meat category, options include "Animal Welfare Organic Hanwoo Mae" (priced at 360,000 won) from Manhee Farm and Hyunwoo Farm in Haenam, Jeollanam-do, both recognized for practicing organic livestock farming at the highest eco-friendly level, with low-carbon certification. Other sets include "Satgatbong Farm Pasture-raised Eco-friendly Hanwoo Set" (priced at 340,000 won), "Hyeon Jungbae Farm Jeju Black Hanwoo Set" (priced at 300,000 won), and "Daegok Farm Pasture-raised Eco-friendly Hanwoo Set" (priced at 320,000 won). Reflecting the trend for grilling Hanwoo, Hyundai has also prepared gift sets featuring only the best Hanwoo from eight top production areas nationwide, including Hoengseong in Gangwon and Hongseong in Chungnam.
To target demand for premium gifts, Hyundai is offering "Hyundai Luxury Hanwoo No.9" (priced at 3 million won), made exclusively from the highest marbling grade (No.9) among 1++ Hanwoo, as well as the "Hyundai Luxury Hanwoo Premium" (priced at 2 million won).
For fruit, the flagship product is "Peak of Fruit Mae" (priced at 170,000 won), which includes the new "Easyple Apple" variety developed in collaboration with the National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science, and the "Geumhyang Melon," a new hybrid of melon and chamoe. For the traditional holiday gift of dried yellow corvina, premium sets such as "Hyundai Luxury Dried Yellow Corvina 10 Fish" (priced between 1.6 million and 3.5 million won), "Yeonggwang Spring Dried Yellow Corvina 8 Fish" (priced between 250,000 and 650,000 won), and "Yeonggwang Dried Yellow Corvina 10 Fish" (priced between 270,000 and 650,000 won) are available.
Additionally, Galleria Department Store will launch its main sales event starting September 17, featuring premium Hanwoo and exclusive champagne sets from Vino Galleria. The flagship "9+ Hanwoo Set" features only the best cuts with a BMS 9 marbling score, the highest among 1++ grade Hanwoo, with a wide range of options from the 500,000-won range to the 2 million-won range depending on the cuts and weight.
Vino Galleria, the department store's liquor import subsidiary, will exclusively offer champagne sets. These are carefully selected from wineries in the Champagne region of France and will be available at the luxury wine shop "The Vino 494" in the premium hall.
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