South Korea Retail Sentiment Index Rises to 92 in Q3, Up 12 Points From Q2

According to a survey by South Korea's Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry released on July 13, the retail business sentiment index (RBSI) for the third quarter reached 92, up 12 points from 80 in the second quarter. The index, which uses 100 as a baseline to gauge optimism or pessimism about the next quarter's economic conditions, was driven by department stores (139), convenience stores (127), and hypermarkets (112), all rebounding above the 100 threshold.

Online shopping, however, remained flat at 74 compared to the previous quarter, as intensifying competition from overseas discount platforms and price pressures in the domestic market continued to weigh on profitability.