Lotte Duty Free Launches Chuseok Promotions, Offers Up to -70% Discounts
Lotte Duty Free initiated a wide-ranging promotional program for South Korea's Chuseok holiday and the broader autumn travel period. The campaign includes online and offline channels, providing discounts and benefits until late October, aiming to attract travelers during a critical shopping season.
Extensive Holiday Shopping Campaign
Lotte Duty Free launched an extensive promotional program for the Chuseok holiday, which falls from 24-26 September this year, and the wider autumn travel season. The initiative spans both online and physical stores, offering various benefits through late October.
The company states its aim is to capture increased shopper activity during this important period for Korean travel retailers. The online component, labeled 'FALL IN SALE', runs until 11 October and features special offers on 60 products over four weeks.
This includes eyewear brands like Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, alongside Korean vegan skincare brand d’Alba, US footwear brand Blundstone, and Jung Kwan Jang, a South Korean red ginseng producer.
Online Discounts and Partner Benefits
Customers using Lotte Internet Duty Free can find popular autumn products at discounts of up to -70%, with selections updated every two weeks. The platform also provides a US$12 coupon for purchases exceeding US$120. Lotte Duty Free partnered with nine airlines, including Korean Air, Jeju Air, and Trinity Air, to offer additional discount coupons.
Further benefits apply to payments made with Kakao Pay Money, Payco, Woori, Hana, and Samsung Card. An interactive 'Lucky Quiz Event' allows daily participation, offering a US$6 discount coupon for purchases over US$50 to correct answerers. Shoppers spending US$1 or more after the quiz can participate again, with 100 winners receiving two Lotte Cinema 2D movie tickets.
In-Store Incentives and International Reach
Lotte Duty Free's downtown stores are running a 'Lotte Duty Free ONE PASS' promotion until 31 October. This campaign connects shopping benefits across its domestic and overseas duty-free stores in locations like Japan, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, and Guam.
For example, the Tokyo Ginza store provides free luggage storage for one day, VIP tier upgrades, and airport limousine ticket gifts. Foreign customers visiting South Korea receive PRE-LDF PAY, membership upgrades, and welcome drinks based on their purchase amounts.
At Seoul's Myeong-dong flagship and World Tower branches, plus the Jeju branch, customers buying fashion, watches, and jewelry on weekdays can receive up to KRW1,540,000, or approximately US$1,150, in LDF PAY. Weekend purchases with Naver Pay offer a double bonus, reaching up to KRW1.88 million, or US$1,400, in LDF PAY.
Implications for Asia's Travel Retail
These promotions show Lotte Duty Free's strategy to leverage peak holiday travel for increased sales across its global network. The company's focus on linking domestic and international shopping benefits creates a continuous incentive for travelers, potentially influencing competitor strategies in Asia's travel retail sector.
The inclusion of beauty brands like d'Alba within discounted online offers, alongside luxury fashion and regional specialties, demonstrates a push for diverse product appeal.
For beauty brands operating in or exporting to South Korea, these campaigns highlight the importance of retailer partnerships and integrated online-to-offline strategies to capture traveler spending during key holiday periods.
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