This year’s Korean American holiday sales come as the National Retail Federation (NRF) projects that year-end U.S. retail revenue could surpass $1 trillion for the first time. Korean American retailers are responding with aggressive promotions across online and in-store channels.
This season marks the first holiday period in which the Trump administration’s high tariffs are fully reflected in consumer prices. To reduce the impact on shoppers, many Korean American stores are absorbing tariff-related cost increases.
Younggyu Choi, manager at Kim’s Electronics, said most products pre-ordered in the spring are still being sold at pre-tariff prices. Items already affected by higher tariffs are being offered with minimal profit margins. According to Choi, with steel and aluminum tariffs rising as high as 50%, pans and pots may be available at “pre-tariff pricing” for the last time this season.
Online holiday spending is also accelerating. E-commerce sales are expected to grow 7% to 9% from last year. Hotdeal, the largest Korean American online mall, said it is offering up to 80% off categories such as cosmetics, health supplements, massage chairs, and kitchenware.
Year-end promotions in the health supplement sector are especially competitive.
Jung Kwan Jang is offering tiered discounts of up to 20%, along with traditional bojagi (wrapping cloth) gift wrapping for customers who purchase items such as Hong Sam Jeong (red ginseng extract) or Cheonnok Decoction (herbal tonic [editor confirm]).
UMEKEN is offering a 10% discount and, for purchases of $98 or more, a free box of 10 Billion Probiotics [verify: product name vs. numeric descriptor] or C-Balance.
Cellion is discounting popular items—including Yuhan Yanghaeng Cheonsudan and Jeonnokyong Hong Sam—by up to 50%. Customers may also use their health insurance OTC (over-the-counter) cards when purchasing these items.
Kim’s Electronics is running a year-end customer appreciation giveaway through the 17th.
Choi said that gift-ready items such as Altenbach pots, Dajjagojja products, and Fineamil salt-and-pepper grinders are particularly popular.
Luxury kitchenware and bedding retailer Roland is offering a special selection of gifts under $50, along with 20%–50% discounts on Fissler, Emperor, and Fischbacher products.
Olgarino is offering 20%–50% off bedding, pajamas, and other home items. Selected purchases include free bedding, and orders over $200 come with a gift pouch.
Cuckoo is offering a one-time payment discount of up to 25% for customers switching from other brands, a five-month rental fee discount, and additional promotional gifts.
Health Korea has reduced the price of its Diva massage chair from $12,999.99 to $8,999.99, and its Gravity Turbo massage chair from $7,999.99 to $5,999.99.
Bodyfriend is offering discounts of up to $5,000 as part of its year-end promotion.
Furniture for Life is advertising 50% discounts on its Solara and Brio Plus product lines.
Hyzen is offering pads and cashmere blankets with purchases of its Baekgeum Cheonsu [editor confirm: health product] and is running 1+1 (buy-one-get-one) promotions on select health and household goods.
Korea Furniture is offering up to 50% off Natuzzi sofas, stone beds, and red clay beds.
Boruneo is offering prices about 30% below regular retail through direct shipments from its Korean manufacturing facility.
Year-end gifting demand is also boosting promotions across the beauty and cosmetics sector.
Rodeo Cosmetics is offering 20%–60% discounts on brands such as Shiseido, plus free cosmetic items and 1+1 deals.
J-Town is selling serum products from Estée Lauder and Lancôme as 1+1 promotions and discounting gift perfumes by more than 50%.
Wig specialist Hi-MO is offering 10%–20% discounts on custom wigs for men and women.
As Korean American holiday sales expand across health supplements, home goods, furniture, and beauty products, retailers are working to secure their share of this potentially record-setting season.
BY Eunyoung Lee (lee.eunyoung6@koreadaily.com)
