SEOUL, June 27 (Xinhua) -- Retail sales in South Korea rose last month as demand increased for seasonal electronic products such as air conditioners ahead of summer season, a government report showed Thursday.
Revenue of online and offline retailers expanded 8 percent in May from a year earlier, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.
The increase was attributed to solid demand for summer electronic products such as air conditioners and demand for gifts during the Parents' Day and the Children's Day in the month.
The online sale jumped 18.1 percent, much faster than a 1.9- percent growth in offline sale, as consumers preferred shopping through smartphone apps.
Among the online sale, food delivery surged 47 percent in the month, with the sale of summer bed clothes jumping 23.5 percent.
Revenue among major discount chains reduced 3.6 percent last month, but those for department and convenient stores grew 2.7 percent and 8.4 percent each.