SEOUL, May 30 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's retail sales grew last month on strong online sale, caused by the changing shopping trend using smartphone, a government report showed Thursday.
The online and offline revenue by major retailers, such as discount outlets and department stores, rose 3.5 percent in April from a year earlier, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.
The online sale jumped 14.1 percent last month on demand for food delivery services through smartphone apps.
Demand was strong in the cyberspace for home appliances such as air conditioner ahead of the summer season.
The offline sale reduced 2.9 percent in the month as consumers expanded online shopping.
Revenue by convenient stores grew 3.1 percent, but those for discount outlets and department stores declined 7.7 percent and 3.8 percent each.