Budget-conscious consumers turn to Daiso app for affordable items

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South Korean consumers are turning to Daiso, a go-to store for affordable items, amid the sluggish economy, leading to a surge in users on the Daiso Mall app.

According to a sample survey of Korean smartphone users released by mobile app analytics service Wiseapp Retail Goods on Tuesday, Daiso Mall saw a record 2.69 million users in July, up 140 percent compared to the same period during the previous year.

The surge in popularity is driven by consumers tightening their budgets and turning to Daiso for low-cost everyday items.

Daiso’s recent expansion into beauty and fashion categories has also attracted more shoppers.

In December 2023, Daiso revamped its online presence by merging its open-market style Daiso Mall with Shop Daiso, a platform exclusively for Daiso products.

This marked a significant push into the online market. Daiso also launched a next-day delivery service around that time.

Orders placed before 2 p.m. on weekdays are delivered the following day, with free shipping for purchases over 30,000 won ($22.5). Orders under that amount incur a 3,000 won delivery fee.

The usage of luxury commerce apps such as Trenbe, Ballan, Must’it, and OKmall, in the meantime, has dropped.

The combined user base of the four platforms fell to 510,000 in July, down 23 percent from the same period last year.