South Korea: Imported beer continues to increase its share at large discount stores

Imported brands continue to increase their share of total beer sales at large discount stores in South Korea, The Chosun Ilbo reported on June 01.

Homeplus said on May 31 that imports accounted for 40.2 percent of its total beer sales in the first five months of this year, up from 12.1 percent in 2009 and 32.8 percent last year. Other large discount stores including E-Mart reported similar sales ratios over the period.

According to the Korea Customs Office, beer imports grow by an average of more than 20 percent every year. Last year's sales were double the 2011 level.

Homeplus attributed the rise to lower prices and a wider choice of brands resulting from free-trade agreements with the U.S. and the European Union, and the overall popularity of low-alcohol beverages, among other factors.

03 June, 2015