SEOUL, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Retail sales in South Korea rose last month as demand got strong for food and electronics in hot weather, a government report showed Thursday.
Revenue among 26 online and offline retailers increased 6.3 percent in May from a year earlier, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.
Hot weather came earlier than usual during an early summer, boosting demand for food, including fresh fruit and imported beer, as well as consumer electronics such as air conditioners.
Sales in offline stores gained 2.5 percent on demand for food and electronics, which advanced 10 percent and 19.2 percent each last month.
Convenient store sales posted a double-digit increase, with those for discount outlets growing 1.6 percent. But the revenue among department stores fell 1.9 percent on soft demand for miscellaneous goods.
Online store sales jumped 15.2 percent on promotion events for summer clothing. Demand was strong for home appliances amid the hot weather.
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