Lotte Department Store hits KRW 1 trillion in foreign sales, and a passport gets you the card

KRW 1 trillion, half a trillion from Myeongdong

Lotte said on Oct. 12 that foreign sales passed KRW 1 trillion this year. Economist Korea called it an industry first.

Lotte Town Myeongdong (Main Store, Avenuel and Young Plaza) alone made about KRW 520 billion.

A December launch, 250,000 cards later

The Lotte Tourist Membership launched at the Main Store last December. A passport is all you need, and the card brings discounts plus a transit-card function. Cumulative issuance is past 250,000, with more than 1,000 handed out a day at the Main Store.

People actually use it: over 90% of cardholders used it at Lotte affiliates or as a transit card.

The new card teams up with Check-in Seoul

A new card now pairs with Check-in Seoul, Lotte Card's prepaid card for foreign visitors. You get 5% off at Lotte Department Store, a 10% reward from Check-in Seoul on purchases of KRW 100,000 or more, 10% off at Lotte Duty Free and 7% at Lotte Mart. About 70 beauty, food and culture partners add perks, including a hanbok rental shop and D Museum.

Kiosks on the Main Store's ground floor

Issuance, top-ups and refunds happen at six unmanned kiosks in the Main Store, on B1, 1F and 9F. More may be added depending on use.

Main Store head Kang Woo-jin said the card is growing into a total service covering payment, transport and travel convenience.

Before you go

- Bring your passport; it is used for issuing the card. - The reports do not mention an issuance fee, so ask at the Main Store. - A Foreign Customer Concierge Lounge opens on the Main Store's 1F at the end of November, with tourist information and shopping services. - Korean Air discount vouchers for foreign customers on Europe and Southeast Asia routes run through year-end.