Skip to main content
The Business of Fashion

South Korea

Retail

Trump Shaves China Tariffs After ‘Amazing’ Xi Meeting

The meeting between US president Donald Trump and China’s Xi Jinping resulted in an agreement to de-escalate some measures but left fundamental issues unresolved.

Beauty

Inside South Korea’s Cosmetic Tourism Boom

Korea’s medical tourism sector is thriving — but strict defamation laws, cultural differences and nationwide doctors’ strikes present unique challenges to foreigners seeking medical and aesthetic treatments in the global beauty capital.

Beauty

A 36-Year-Old Beauty Mogul Is South Korea’s Newest Billionaire

APR Corp. has become a dominant force in the global K-beauty market, turning its founder, Kim Byung Hoon, into South Korea’s newest billionaire.

Global Markets

Why A Dior Handbag Caused a Stir in South Korean Politics

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is fighting for his political life. A gifting sting that went public last year contributed to eroding public support.

ADVERTISEMENT

Luxury

Gucci Show Reaffirms Seoul’s Status as Capital of Pop Culture

K-style takes centre stage in collection that draws inspiration from South Korea’s contemporary and traditional dress.

Beauty

Unravelling the K-Beauty Paradox

South Korea is one of the world’s leading exporters of beauty products but the narrow definition of ‘K-beauty’ in international markets means many exciting brands in Seoul have yet to go global.

Global Markets

Seoul Fashion Week’s Hybrid Season Draws to a Close

This season, its face was Lee Jung-jae, the star of Netflix’s Squid Game — a signal of the event’s ongoing mission to help Korean designers ride the Korean wave (hallyu).

Luxury

Chanel Duels South Korean Resellers Amid Luxury Boom

Chanel has barred nearly a third of would-be shoppers to stop bulk buyers snagging $10,000 bags for resale with markups of 20 percent or more.

ADVERTISEMENT

Global Markets

K-Beauty Giant Amorepacific Looks to Shift Gears In China

The group behind brands like Sulwhasoo, Etude House and Innisfree, is considering giving sales in the key market a much-needed boost by cutting back on physical stores and accelerating expansion of its premium offering and digital channels.

Global Markets

Galleria Department Store’s Annual Sales Hit 1 Trillion Won Mark

Sales at the 31-year-old South Korean retailer’s luxury outpost in Seoul’s Apgujeong neighbourhood reached 1 trillion won (around $844 million) for the first time.

Global Markets

Korean Beauty Retailer Olive Young Eyes $1 Billion IPO

The health and beauty chain, also known as CJ Olive Young, is looking to raise $1 billion in a local public offering sources say will take place early 2022.

Global Markets

Department Store Sales Boost Shinsegae’s Q3 Earnings

The South Korean retail giant announced its net income for the July-September period of 2021 hit 188.9 billion won (around $160.4 million) on a consolidated basis, a sharp uptick from the 858 million won ($728,638) in profits it reported last year.