MENA Newswire, SEOUL: Online shopping sales in South Korea reached a record 24.15 trillion won (US$16.75 billion) in November, marking a 6.8 percent increase from the same period a year earlier, according to data released by the Ministry of Data and Statistics. The figure represents the highest level recorded since the ministry began compiling e-commerce data in 2017. The year-on-year rise of 1.53 trillion won highlights the continued expansion of South Korea’s online retail sector, which remains one of the most advanced globally. The growth was primarily driven by strong demand for food-related services, as well as a rebound in travel and transportation spending. Sales in food services, including online food delivery and grocery orders, rose 13.7 percent compared with the previous year.
The increase was supported by widespread promotional campaigns run by major food delivery platforms during November, which attracted higher consumer engagement and transaction volumes. The category accounted for one of the largest portions of total online spending during the month. Travel and transportation-related purchases recorded an 8.5 percent increase year-on-year, reflecting steady consumer participation in both domestic and international travel services. The growth was linked to higher booking activity through online travel agencies and platforms, bolstered by increased availability of travel options and promotional offers toward the end of the year. In contrast, online sales of home appliances and electronic devices fell 4.9 percent from the previous year. The decline was attributed to a reduction in discount events by online retailers compared with the same period in 2024, when aggressive promotions had boosted sales in the sector.
Mobile shopping dominates Korea’s retail activity
Despite the drop, electronics remain a key category in South Korea’s digital marketplace. Mobile-based transactions continued to dominate the online shopping landscape. Purchases made through smartphones, tablets, and other portable devices reached 18.59 trillion won in November, representing a 7.9 percent increase from the previous year. The figure set a new record for mobile sales, further solidifying the segment’s central role in South Korea’s e-commerce environment. Mobile transactions accounted for roughly three-quarters of total online sales for the month, underscoring widespread consumer reliance on mobile platforms for retail and service-related purchases. The data illustrate the maturity of South Korea’s e-commerce sector, which has grown steadily over the past decade due to extensive digital infrastructure and strong consumer adoption of online platforms.
The consistent expansion of mobile shopping, coupled with sustained demand across key categories such as food delivery, travel, and lifestyle services, has reinforced the country’s position as a leader in digital commerce. The Ministry of Data and Statistics has tracked online shopping trends since 2017, providing monthly updates on retail performance across major categories. The record-high figures for November mark the strongest result since the dataset’s inception, reflecting both the growing convenience of online services and the broader shift in consumer purchasing behavior toward digital channels. Industry data show that South Korea maintains one of the world’s highest rates of internet and smartphone penetration, factors that continue to support the growth of mobile commerce. Retailers have increasingly optimized online platforms to handle greater transaction volumes, ensuring faster payment processing and efficient delivery systems that meet rising consumer expectations.
Digital infrastructure drives online retail expansion
The strong performance in November follows a consistent upward trend throughout 2025, during which online retail activity remained robust across key sectors. Food-related spending and travel bookings have become central contributors to e-commerce performance, while electronic goods have faced fluctuating demand linked to seasonal promotions and product release cycles. According to the ministry’s data, total online transactions have more than doubled over the past five years, with mobile sales showing particularly rapid growth. The November data reaffirm that digital platforms continue to drive consumer spending and play a central role in shaping South Korea’s retail economy. Online shopping now constitutes a significant share of national retail transactions, supported by high-speed connectivity, secure payment infrastructure, and widespread consumer trust in digital marketplaces. The record results in November reflect continued momentum in the country’s digital economy as online shopping becomes an increasingly integral part of daily life for millions of consumers.
South Korea’s e-commerce sector continues to demonstrate exceptional growth and efficiency, supported by world-class digital infrastructure and widespread consumer adoption of online platforms. With more than 90 percent of the population connected to high-speed internet and extensive use of mobile payment systems such as KakaoPay, Naver Pay, and Toss, the country has established a highly integrated digital retail environment. The record November figures highlight how online shopping has become a core driver of national consumption, reflecting the strength, adaptability, and resilience of South Korea’s rapidly evolving digital economy, powered by innovation, logistics efficiency, and a tech-savvy consumer base. The continued expansion of this sector underscores South Korea’s leadership in digital transformation, setting a model for advanced economies navigating the future of commerce in an increasingly connected world.