The department store industry is gearing up for the main sales of Chuseok gift sets.
This year, retailers are expanding their offerings of high-end products, including beef priced in the hundreds of thousands of won and wines worth millions, while also enhancing convenience with small packaging, ready-to-eat meals, collaborations with renowned chefs, and AI recommendations.
The strategy focuses on rarity, convenience, and personal taste to entice consumers.
According to the retail industry on September 3, Lotte Department Store and Hyundai Department Store will begin their main sales of Chuseok gift sets on September 4, while Shinsegae Department Store and Galleria Department Store will start on September 7.
Lotte Department Store plans to increase the number of gift items by about 20% compared to last year, preparing the largest quantity in its history. The offerings will be categorized into 'ultra-rare, ultra-convenient, and ultra-fresh' across various categories, including meat, produce, seafood, and groceries.
Among the highlights are the 'Ulleung Premium Beef' (660,000 won), selected from the top 1++ grade of the approximately 200 cattle raised annually on Ulleung Island, and 'Almas Gold Caviar' (30g, 1.3 million won).
Convenience items include 'Traditional Jang Geunbi,' which features boneless dried yellow corvina with gochujang and doenjang, and 'Yeonggwang Steamed Barley Geunbi,' which can be heated in the microwave after being pre-steamed.
Lotte is also differentiating its services. It has introduced a 3 million won package that includes Spanish ham and a professional carver for on-site carving and catering, along with a mobile thank-you card service that uses AI to suggest holiday greetings based on the recipient's relationship, such as family, friends, or colleagues.
Shinsegae Department Store is prominently featuring its own premium food brand. The 'The Signature Premium Beef,' selected from the top 3% of 1++ grade beef, is priced at 3.2 million won, while the 'Premium Jeonggeunbi Special' is priced at 3.5 million won.
Beyond food, the gift range has expanded to include traditional crafts and travel experiences. Through 'Local Shinsegae,' artisan works such as white porcelain moon jars and mother-of-pearl crafts are available, and the travel platform 'Via Shinsegae' offers experience-based products like European New Year concerts, gourmet trips to Hong Kong, historical tours in Egypt, and Serengeti safaris.
Hyundai Department Store is enhancing both 'small packaging' and 'high-end' offerings. It has prepared a record 120,000 sets of beef gift sets, increasing the number by 10% from last year, and is expanding its 'Sodam Set,' which contains 200g portions. It also features the 'Hyundai Premium Beef Number Nine' (3 million won), made from the highest marbling grade.
Notable high-end alcoholic beverages include the 'Petrus 18-Bottle Vertical Collection' priced at 360 million won, the 'Leroy Two Types + Riedel Glass Set' at 120 million won, and the 'Balvenie 50-Year' at 85 million won. The AI shopping assistant 'Heidi' can recommend personalized gifts based on budget and the recipient's age group.
Galleria Department Store is also emphasizing rarity. It is offering the '1++ No.9 BLACK,' composed of the highest marbling grade BMS 9 beef, for 3.5 million won.
The highest grade Manuka honey is priced at 2.5 million won, and the 'Premium Five-Color Delicacy Set,' which includes sea urchin, beef, and caviar, is available for 1.6 million won.
In the dessert category, Galleria has introduced unique items such as macarons from France's 'Pierre Hermé Paris' and kim-bu-gak created in collaboration with Chef Jong-won Son and Jeonggwan Sunim.
An industry insider noted, "Holiday gifts are now determined more by how rare and personalized they are rather than just price. The strategy aims to capture VIP demand with high-end products while also attracting new customers through small packaging, ready-to-eat meals, and AI recommendation services."
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.