Three Major Hypermarket Chains Begin Pre-orders for Lunar New Year Gift Sets

Homeplus Starts on the 18th
Emart and Lotte Mart Begin on the 26th

The three major hypermarket chains have begun pre-orders for Lunar New Year gift sets ahead of the holiday in February 2025. With high inflation this year increasing the burden of preparing holiday gifts, all three companies have started their pre-order sales earlier than last year.

First, Homeplus is conducting pre-orders for Lunar New Year gift sets for 51 days from December 18 until February 6 next year. Customers who pay with event cards can receive up to 50% off, as well as instant discounts or gift certificates of up to 7.5 million won. Purchases of 50,000 won or more with event cards are eligible for interest-free installment benefits depending on the card company, and purchases over 30,000 won qualify for free delivery.

Homeplus announced that it will conduct pre-orders for Lunar New Year gift sets for 51 days from the 18th of last month until February 6th of next year. Photo by Homeplus

This year, Homeplus increased the proportion of gift sets priced at 50,000 won or less to 78% of all items. With continued inflation expected to drive demand for cost-effective and practical gift sets, 83% of new products are also priced at 50,000 won or less. Representative value-for-money products under 50,000 won include the ‘Famous Region Apple Set’ (49,900 won), ‘Regional Pear Set’ (49,900 won), ‘Premium NH Nonghyup Sangju Dried Persimmon 30-piece Set’ (39,900 won), ‘Korean Pork Seasoned Hand-cut Ribs Set’ (59,990 won), and the ‘Practical Chamgulbi Dureup Set No. 3’ (49,000 won).

Some gift sets have had their prices frozen or reduced. For fruit gift sets, which are among the most popular with customers, more than 82% have had their prices frozen or lowered. For example, the price of the ‘GAP Apple Set’ has been reduced by 5,000 won compared to last year.

Ten types of livestock gift sets, including the ‘NH Nonghyup Safe Korean Beef 1+ Grade Sirloin Chilled Set’ and the ‘NH Nonghyup Safe Korean Beef 1 Grade Chilled Set,’ have also had their prices frozen or reduced. For miscellaneous gift sets, which saw a 15% increase in sales year-on-year due to their affordable prices, Homeplus has decided to freeze prices entirely this year.

Emart, Pre-orders Start on the 26th... Differentiated Korean Beef Sets and Stable Pricing for Key Products

Emart will begin pre-orders for Lunar New Year gift sets for 43 days from December 26 until February 6 next year. During the pre-order period, customers who purchase gift sets with event cards can receive discounts of up to 50% depending on the product. Depending on the purchase amount, customers can also receive Shinsegae gift certificates worth up to 7.5 million won.

Emart will begin pre-orders for Lunar New Year gift sets for 43 days from the 26th of this month until February 6th next year. Photo by Emart

This year’s gift sets focus on enhancing tangible benefits. For the popular holiday item ‘Korean Beef Sets,’ Emart has expanded its range of differentiated products while working to keep prices stable for key items. The ‘Direct Auction Female Korean Beef Set’ has more than doubled in quantity. New meat sets have also been launched, including the ‘Kinross Premium Black Lamb Tomahawk & T-bone Set’ (102,400 won) and the ‘Geumhan Pork Premium Pork Set’ (71,840 won).

For seafood gift sets, Emart is introducing new practical sets priced under 100,000 won. The ‘Sujogi Gulbi Set’ (1.8kg, 5 fish) is being released for the first time and will be available for 59,850 won with a 30% discount when purchased with an event card. Other new seafood sets include bluefin tuna, imperial abalone, and premium pollack roe sets.

The demand for citrus gift sets, which are especially popular during the holiday season, has also been significantly boosted. As citrus fruits continue to see strong growth as a representative winter fruit, Emart has increased the supply of citrus gift sets by about 10% compared to last Lunar New Year and reduced prices by about 10-20%. For example, the ‘Premium Jeju Red Hyang Set’ (4kg) is available for 59,850 won with a 30% event card discount, and the ‘Premium Jeju Cheonhyehyang Set’ (4.5kg) is available for 52,430 won.

Wine and whiskey sets are being offered at lower prices compared to last Lunar New Year. During the pre-order period, Balvenie 12 Years (700ml) is available for 99,800 won, Wild Turkey Rare Breed (750ml) for 79,800 won, Wild Turkey 101 8 Years (700ml) for 47,800 won, and Johnnie Walker Green Label (700ml) for 69,800 won. For wine, the ‘Cono Sur 20 Barrels Cabernet Sauvignon + Two Hands Angels’ Share Set’ is available for 67,650 won.

Lotte Mart and Super, Pre-orders Start on the 26th... 20% Increase in Products Priced Under 50,000 Won Compared to Last Year

Lotte Mart and Super will conduct pre-order sales of Lunar New Year gift sets for 43 days from December 26 until February 6 next year. During the pre-order period, customers who pay with an event card can receive gift certificates worth up to 1.5 million won depending on the purchase amount.

Lotte Mart and Lotte Super will conduct a pre-order sale of Lunar New Year gift sets for 43 days from the 26th of this month until February 6th of next year. Provided by Lotte Mart and Lotte Super

Lotte Mart is offering a total of about 800 types of gift sets in this pre-order event. For fruit sets, the supply of value-for-money sets priced under 50,000 won has been increased by 20% compared to last year. Representative products include ‘Chungju Fresh Shine Apples’ (17-20 pieces, domestic) and ‘GAP Apples and Pears’ (5 apples, 4 pears, domestic), both available to L.Point members for 49,900 won. ‘Sangju Dried Persimmons’ (30 pieces, domestic) and ‘Jeju Hallabong Oranges’ (8-12 pieces, domestic) are each offered for 39,900 won. In addition, for this Lunar New Year, the supply of mixed fruit sets, previously available in 5 and 11 varieties, has been increased by about 150% compared to Chuseok, and a new ‘Hangadeuk Jeongseongdamun Shine Mixed Fruit 8-Variety Set’ has been introduced.

Livestock sets are focused on grilling products. At the discounted price, the ‘Korean Beef Meat Set No. 2’ is available for 99,000 won, and the ‘Korean Beef Home Party Pack Gift Set’ is available for 229,000 won, with one additional set provided for every 10 sets purchased. The top-grade ‘Marble Nine Grilled Mixed Set’ (1++(9) grade) is offered for 699,000 won.

To reduce customer burden caused by high exchange rates, the supply of Australian beef sets has been increased by about 20%. The representative product ‘Wagome Wagyu Value Set No. 2’ is available for 79,000 won at the discounted price, and the ‘Wagome Wagyu Grilled Special Set No. 1’ can be purchased for 119,000 won. In addition, an exclusive collaboration product with Chef Choi Kangrok, who appeared on ‘Heukbaek Chef,’ the ‘Choi Kangrok’s Naya LA Galbi Set’ (2kg), is available for 109,000 won at the discounted price.

In the seafood category, Lotte Mart is offering direct delivery sets in collaboration with renowned production regions. The ‘Handful Abalone Gift Set No. 3’ (11 abalones, about 90g each, domestic) is available to L.Point members for 49,600 won. The ‘Guryongpo Boiled Red Crab Gift Set’ (7 boiled red crabs, domestic) is available for pre-order at half price, 39,950 won. The ‘Patagonia Fresh Salmon Gift Set’ (700g, Chilean), delivered by air, is available for 34,900 won at the discounted price.

Lotte Mart’s online grocery platform ‘Lotte Mart Zetta (ZETTA)’ is offering pre-orders for gift sets for the first time. This pre-order event will be available for a limited period from January 6 to January 23. First-time Zetta customers can receive a 20% discount of up to 10,000 won, along with additional holiday gift discounts.