Golf wear sales at Hyundai, Shinsegae up 60% on yr in Jan-Feb

[Source: Shinsegae Department Store]

Golf wear sales at South Korean department stores surged more than 60 percent in the first two months of this year from a year ago as golf has increasingly become part of life for more Korean people.

According to industry sources on Sunday, golf-related sales at Hyundai Department Store soared 78 percent on year in January and February although the pandemic is still unfolding. Sales more than doubled particularly among young consumers in their 20s and 30s that have picked golf as a pastime amid the pandemic.

Demand for golf wear has increased significantly as more people enjoy the sport, said an official from Hyundai Department Store. Consumers in their 20s and 30s are interested in premium golf wear as they seek to express themselves through clothing.

Golf-related sales at Shinsegae Department Store also jumped 67.2 percent during the same period.

According to Korea Leisure Industry Institute, the number of golfers jumped from 2.93 million in 2009 to 5.15 million in 2021.

High-end golf wear brands like G/Fore and V12 launched last year are hoping to grab new golfers interested in fashion.

A.P.C. Golf that opened this year at Shinsegae Department Store’s Gangnam branch raised 100 million won ($80,757) in sales in just 10 days after its opening.

Other classic brands are also launching their own golf wear line with hopes to allure young players.

SJYP, a young apparel brand of Handsome owned by Hyundai Department Store, introduced golf wears for female golfers last year. The line offers cute design with its dinosaur character. Tommy Hilfiger managed by Handsome has 95 golf clothing and 47 accessories.

Shinsegae Department Store’s Gangnam store in southern Seoul will run a pop-up store of casual golf wear brand Challenger in collaboration with artist Sambypen until April 3. Daejeon Shinsegae will offer street casual golf wear Double Flag with Rolling Stones graphic until March 24.

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