Korean Retail Stocks Surge as Shinsegae and Lotte Shopping Outpace Samsung Electronics in a 20-Year Boom

On May 15, 2026, Korean retail stocks, long viewed as stagnant domestic-demand shares, were rising strongly. According to the Korea Exchange, Shinsegae gained 131.6% from the start of the year, Lotte Shopping rose 144%, and Hyundai Department Store advanced 39%. Samsung Electronics rose 108% over the same period. The move was driven by prolonged won weakness and China’s restrictions on Japan-related relations, which helped increase foreign visitors led by high-spending Chinese tourists. Earnings also improved. Lotte Shopping posted first-quarter consolidated revenue of 3.5816 trillion won and operating profit of 252.9 billion won, up 3.6% and 70.6% year on year. Shinsegae Department Store reported first-quarter revenue of 740.9 billion won and operating profit of 141 billion won, its best first-quarter result. Shinyoung Securities said that excluding Covid base effects, this level of growth had not been seen in 20 years. Source: hankyung.com