Business · 2026-10-21 · Morning briefing

South Korea's warehouse retailers post record $1.1bn month

South Korean shoppers are increasingly turning to warehouse retailers to combat high food prices. Combined card spending at Costco and its local rival, Emart Traders, reached a record 1.45 trillion won (US$1.1 billion) in September alone, as consumers favour buying in bulk over smaller trips to traditional supermarkets.

The shift is boosting company revenues significantly. Costco South Korea’s sales rose 12.1% to a record 7.32 trillion won in its 2025 financial year. Over the past two years, Emart Traders saw its sales grow 14.2%, while its operating profit more than doubled from 58.1 billion won to 129.3 billion won.

These retailers maintain lower prices by purchasing a limited selection of popular goods in vast quantities and reducing operating costs with simple pallet-based displays. Spending at warehouse clubs is now growing faster than at the country's other major retail formats, including hypermarkets, department stores and convenience stores.

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• South Korean bulk buying hits record US$1.1 billion as shoppers trim food bills

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