▲ This photo provided by CJ Olive Young shows its Central Myeongdong Town branch in Seoul. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE)(Yonhap)

 

SEOUL, June 22 (Yonhap) -- CJ Olive Young said Monday that more foreign visitors are returning to South Korea and purchasing beauty products after experiencing its "Olive Young Sale" discount event.

 

According to an analysis of foreign customer data conducted jointly by Olive Young and tax refund operator Global Tax Free (GTF), the number of overseas visitors who traveled to Korea and enjoyed K-beauty shopping during both the March and June Olive Young Sale periods this year increased 11-fold from three years earlier.

 

More than 6,200 foreign customers visited Korea three or more times during last year's sale periods and purchased products from Olive Young.

 

Given that overseas visitors must leave the country within a certain period to qualify for tax refunds, the company said these customers likely returned to their home countries and later revisited Korea.

 

Held every March, June, September and December, the Olive Young Sale is a large-scale promotional event involving more than 1,500 beauty brands.

 

Olive Young said the rise in repeat visitors appears to reflect growing numbers of foreign customers who enjoy convenient shopping during their stay in Korea and come to appreciate the quality of K-beauty products after returning home.

 

As more foreign tourists travel across different parts of the country, sales to overseas customers at Olive Young stores outside the greater Seoul area rose 72 percent during this month's sale period from a year earlier, surpassing the nationwide average growth rate of 45 percent.

 

"The increase in foreign visitors returning to Korea during the Olive Young Sale period shows that Olive Young has evolved beyond a leading K-beauty retailer into a form of content in itself," an Olive Young official said. "We will continue expanding opportunities for K-beauty brands to connect with global customers."

 

jwc@yna.co.kr

[ⓒ K-VIBE. 무단전재-재배포 금지]