South Korean retail sales increased 3.4 per cent year on year in May. 

Online sales reportedly surged by 18.1 per cent in May, far faster than offline sales, which increased buy just 1.9 per cent. 

A government spokesperson said the increase in sales for the month was driven by growing demand for seasonal products such as air conditioners, as summer arrived.

There was also strong demand for electronics and gifts for Parents’ Day and Children’s Day.

May’s 3.4 per cent rise in South Korean retail sales was below the mean average monthly rate of 3.9 per cent recorded from 1996 until this year.