SSG.com sees surge in sales of less-expensive Chuseok gift sets

A model promotes the ‘Chuseok Seafood Gift Set’ at Emart Yongsan in Seoul on the 22nd. Emart is offering discounts on the set until September 6th. [Courtesy of Emart]

SSG.com, an e-commerce platform affiliated with Shinsegae Inc., announced on Friday that less expensive gift sets are becoming increasingly popular ahead of the Chuseok holiday in September.

According to pre-sale data from August 2nd until Thursday, sales of canned foods priced under 30,000 won ($22) rose by 112 percent compared to the previous year‘s holiday season. Sales of cosmetic gift sets, including hand and body soap, saw a 106 percent increase.

A staple of gift-giving during the Chuseok holiday, sales of boxed sets of beef and pork priced between 30,000 and 50,000 won grew by 20 percent. Among fruits, apples, pears, and Shine Muscat grapes were especially popular.

Among expensive gift sets in a price range of 200,000 won or above, sales of health supplements and other health products increased by 107 percent, with red ginseng and nutritional supplements the top sellers.