[Consumer This Week] Barbie, Able C&C, Uniqlo, GS25, Dongwon

Lotte Mart introduces realistic Barbie dolls to Asia

Lotte Mart has introduced a new lineup of realistic “Fashionista” Barbie dolls that includes three new body types -- tall, curvy and petite -- in South Korea on Thursday.

After decades of criticism, Barbie, a brand known for its unrealistically skinny figurines, introduced new dolls with diverse physiques and hairstyles in January this year. Seoul is the first Asian market where these realistic Barbies are being introduced.

Available in seven types, each doll can be purchased for 17,800 won ($15.50) at four Toys “R” Us outlets in Seoul — Jamsil, Gimpo, Guro and Big Market Kintex — as well as the toy vendor’s online shopping mall at toysrus.lottemart.com.

Just 600 dolls are on sale in Korea on a first-come-first-buy basis for now, as Lotte secured an exclusive supply batch in time for Children’s Day. The dolls will officially launch here in July.

“We worked hard to quickly introduce the new Fashionista Barbie dolls to our local consumers. We hope consumers will not miss out on this rare purchase opportunity,” said Lotte Mart Toys “R” Us director Kim Jin-wook.

(jys@heraldcorp.com)

Able C&C opens cosmetics retail shop BeautyNet

Korean cosmetics company Able C&C, the operator of brands including Missha, A’pieu and Swiss Pure, has opened its first cosmetics retail shop in Daehangno Street in northern Seoul.

Dubbed “BeautyNet,” the new store features products made by its leading brands in one location, similar to the Aritaum outlets run by industry leader AmorePacific.

The new retail store was established as an offline outlet to showcase products previously available only online on platforms such as Able C&C’s www.beautynet.co.kr and to better promote its lesser-known brands, the firm said.

“We hope more consumers will be able to enjoy Able C&C’s diverse brands more easily,” said Able C&C vice president Lee Kwang-yeol.

“We plan to open more new BeautyNet stores as well as transform existing stores into such retail shops as needed in the future,” he said.

(jys@heraldcorp.com)

Uniqlo giving out free AIRism innerwear products

Uniqlo is handing out free camisoles and T-shirts to office workers from its flagship innerwear clothing line AIRism at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul until April 20, except on Saturday and Sunday.

The Japanese apparel brand is holding the promotional event to celebrate the opening of its new store inside D-Tower in the business district in central Seoul. The store will open on April 22.

One should present his or her business card or company ID at a booth to receive a free product. Females will receive an AIRism camisole and males an AIRism V-neck T-shirt.

Uniqo will also hold a lucky draw event at the booth, offering 10 AIRism products to winners and their coworkers for free. A total of 60 candidates will be selected per day. For more information, visit Uniqlo’s official website or social media pages.

(jys@heraldcorp.com)

LG’s new smartphone G5 on sale at GS25

GS25, convenient stores operated by a retail arm of GS Group, has started selling LG Electronics’ latest smart phone G5 at its branch stores across the country, the company said Thursday.

G5 is LG’s first modular smartphone that is attachable to several smart devices including a camera and a portable audio system. To promote sales of the smartphone, GS25 is offering a free battery pack worth 39,000 won and a camera unit worth 99,000 won for customers who purchase the IT device by Friday. 

There will also be special coupons for discounts on other gear including the premium earphone set “H3 by B&O Play” and the audio module “LG HiFi Plus.”

For more information, visit gs25.gsretail.com or www.gsphone.kr. 

(christory@heraldcorp.com)

Song Joong-ki named new model for Dongwon Tuna

Dongwon F&B has named Song Joong-ki, who currently stars in the hit TV drama “Descendants of the Sun,” as its new model for TV commercials, to promote its signature product Dongwon Tuna, the company said Thursday.

The TV commercial featuring the actor was filmed to emphasize tuna as a healthy ingredient for people who live busy urban lives. Tuna is a source of DHA, Omega-3 fat acid and selenium that boosts metabolism, the company said.

Dongwon F&B will also hold other promotional events with Song to add fresh appeal to its products, added the company.

(christory@heraldcorp.com)

By Cho Chung-eun and Sohn Ji-young

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