The following research report contains market research, analysis, statistics and business intelligence relating to research on Retail Industry In Korea.

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ABSTRACT
During the past ten years, Korean fashion retailing has
undergone remarkable changes. Prior to the 1990s, the country's
apparel production mostly was comprised of low or medium priced
fashions, with little influence from international apparel
designers. Korea's rapid rise in national income, gradual
market liberalization, and changed public reception toward
foreign products has brought about an increase in the variety of
apparel fashions available in the marketplace. This rapid
increase in clothing imports has, in turn, spurred the
development of a domestic high-end apparel industry, based
mostly in Seoul, and to a lesser extent, in Taegu. End Summary.

Market Overview

Upon its establishment in the 1960s, the Korean textile industry
first developed a reputation as a major producer of low-cost
clothing, before gradually moving up market, twenty years later,
to medium quality apparel. Since the early 1990s, however,
Koreans' rising incomes and increased interest in foreign
fashions have prompted many of the country's fashion designers
and apparel manufacturers to focus more of their efforts toward
top quality product lines. The Seoul district of Kangnam, and
to a lesser extent, the city of Taegu, have emerged as the
country's centers of fashion retailing.

The Seoul Fashion Artist Association (SFAA), an organization
representing leading Korean apparel manufacturers and fashion
designers, plays a significant role in promoting the country's
high-end fashion sector. Korean designers of expensive fashion,
most of whom are based in Seoul and Taegu, each have at least 30
years of apparel industry experience and many are considered to
be the leaders in their industry. Many of these same fashion
designers first developed their skills as tailors in the Seoul
districts of Myong-dong and Shinchon, which until the late 1980s
were the city's fashion centers. These two neighborhoods remain
important clothing shopping areas. However, during the past ten
years, there has been a steady relocation of many of the fashion
"boutique stores" to the Kangnam area of Seoul, south of the Han
River. This modern, more-wealthy part of Seoul has become one
of the city's most affluent business and retail centers, and
many of these high fashion boutiques have moved to Kangnam to
follow their customers.

Market Analysis

Most of the Kangnam apparel operations are small-scale
enterprises that employ a few people and produce expensive
apparel in small batches. The typical shop operates with just
four or five employees and manufactures approximately 40
production runs per clothing style. The average price per
clothing item usually ranges from 800,000 won (USD 670) to
1,800,000 won (USD 1,500), while each store's monthly sales
revenues average about 80 million won (USD 65,000). Korean
high-end apparel manufactures typically use approximately 60
percent imported fabrics (mostly European) in the fabrication of
their clothing.

According to industry experts, less than one percent of all
Korean apparel shoppers are customers of these high-end stores.
However, because of the high value per item of their purchases,
their aggregate impact is much greater than their relatively
small numbers would suggest. These buyers mostly are wives of
high government officials, industry business people,
entertainment leaders, and high-income professionals. Much of
this apparel also is purchased by government officials, since as
per traditional Korean customs, the wearing of imported,
high-end fashions (such as Boss, St. John, George Armani, or
Gianni Versace) by Korean government officials (or their
spouses) at official public government events usually is not
well-accepted. Therefore, in order to minimize negative public
reaction, these officials, instead, usually prefer to wear
Korean-designed apparel.
4.Conclusion:
With the beginning of Korean's economic recovery, the country's
apparel market trends point to continued growth in the country's
demand for high-end apparel, both imported and domestically-
produced. This portends increased market opportunities for
foreign apparel suppliers as well as those firms interested in
pursuing joint venture business arrangements. U.S. high fashion
apparel exporters looking to sell to the Korean market should
consider this an excellent time to take advantage of Korea s
economic recovery.

U.S. firms and distributors seeking more information about the
Korean apparel market should contact:

Mitchel Auerbach, Commercial Attach
Commercial Service Korea
American Embassy Seoul
82, Sejong-ro, Chongro-gu, Seoul
Tel: 82-2-397-4643/ Fax: 82-2-737-5357
Or,
Susie So-Eun Joo, Commercial Specialist (APP)
Commercial Service Korea
American Embassy Seoul
82, Sejong-ro, Chongro-gu, Seoul
Tel: 82-2-397-4583/Fax: 82-2-737-5357

SEOUL FASHION ARTIST ASSOCIATION (SFAA) MEMBERS

These member firms of the Seoul Fashion Artist Association are
among the most prominent designers in Korean fashion. As the
leaders in their industry, they have been out front in promoting
modern fashions in Korea, and indirectly, Korean sales of
imported apparel.

Brand: Mr. Kim Taylor
Designer: Kim, Sun-ja
Address: 47-20, Daebong-dong, Chung-gu, Taegu-city, 700-430
Tel: 82-053-424-8495
Fax: 82-053-421-8869

Brand: KoKo Park Dong Jun
Designer: Park, Dong-jun
Address: 33-14, 1-ga, Samduck-dong, Chung-gu, Taegu-city, 700-411
Tel: 82-2-053-425-9446
Fax: 82-2-053-425-9446

Brand: Ultimo
Designer: Kim, Dong-soon (President of S.F.A.A.)
Address: 967-6, Daechi-dong, Kangnam-gu, Seoul, 135-280
Tel: 82-2-552-4145
Fax: 82-2-552-4061

Brand: Kim Chul Woong Mode
Designer: Kim, Chul-woong
Address: 217-47, Nonhyun-dong, Kangnam-gu, Seoul, 135-010
Tel: 82-2-515-9928
Fax: 82-2-515-8050

Brand: Rubina Boutique
Designer: Rubina
Address: 48, Chungdam-dong, Kangnam-gu, Seoul 135-100
Tel: 82-2-514-0747
Fax: 82-2-543-0257

Brand: Park Yoon Su Allstyle
Designer: Park, Yoon-su
Address: Yoonsomi B/D, 82-21, Chungdam-dong, Kangnam-gu, Seoul,
135-100
Tel: 82-2-515-0083
Fax: 82-2-517-2838

Brand: Ok Dong
Designer: Park, Hang-chi
Address: 63-4, Chungdam-dong, Kangnam-gu, Seoul, 135-100
Tel: 82-2-544-5417
Fax: 82-2-542-0474

Brand: Baeyong
Designer: Bae, Yong
Address: 48-3, Chungang-dong, 4-ga, Chung-gu, Pusan-city, 600-014
Tel: 82-051-241-2245
Fax: 82-051-247-5808

Brand: Sul Yoon Hyung Boutique
Designer: Sul, Yoon-hyun
Address: 62-39, Chungdam-dong, Kangnam-gu, Seoul, 135-100
Tel: 82-2-512-3384
Fax: 82-2-512-3381

Brand: Son Jung Whan Boutique
Designer: Son, Jung-whan
Address: Kunhee B/D, 9-5, Chungdam-dong, Kangnam-gu, Seoul,
135-100
Tel: 82-2-548-0832
Fax: 82-2-548-0836

Brand: Zio & Zia
Designer: Song, Ji-Oh
Address: 1st Fl. Jinhyun B/D, 655-15, Shinsa-dong, Kangnam-gu,
Seoul, 135-120
Tel: 82-2-518-0281
Fax: 82-2-518-0323

Brand: Oh Eun Whan Boutique
Designer: Oh, Eun-whan
Address: 31-9, Chungdam-dong, Kangnam-gu, Seoul, 135-100
Tel: 82-2-540-2053
Fax: 82-2-542-7741

Brand: Lee Sang Bong
Designer: Lee, Sang-bong
Address: 118-17, Chungdam-1-dong, Kangnam-gu, Seoul, 135-100
Tel: 82-2-543-5604
Fax: 82-2-542-8599

Brand: Karuso
Designer: Chang, Kwang-ho
Address: Taeyong B/D, 664-10, Shinsa-dong, Kangnam-gu, Seoul,
135-120
Tel: 82-2-547-0753
Fax: 82-2-517-3971

Brand: Veronica Jung
Designer: Jung, Mee-kyung
Address: Join Apparel, 459-2, Dogok-dong, Kangnam-gu, Seoul,
135-270
Tel: 82-2-575-7941
Fax: 82-2-575-2555

Brand: Miss Ji Collection
Designer: Ji, Chung-hee
Address: Jina B/D, 83-14, Chungdam-dong, Kangnam-gu, Seoul,
135-100
Tel: 82-2-548-9026
Fax: 82-2-545-3043

Brand: Francois
Designer: Jin, Tae-ok
Address: 62-16, Chungdam-dong, Kangnam-gu, Seoul, 135-100
Tel: 82-2-518-8029
Fax: 82-2-542-8791

Brand: Rebekah
Designer: Choi, Yun-ok
Address: Duru Corporation, 118-10, Yongdap-dong, Songdong-gu,
Seoul, 133-170
Tel: 82-2-248-5040
Fax: 82-2-213-9370

Brand: Italiana
Designer: Han, Hae-ja
Address: 31-2, Chungdam-dong, Kangnam-gu, Seoul, 135-100
Tel: 82-2-548-7538
Fax: 82-2-511-6391

DISCLAIMER
Information in this report relies on sources including Government Publications, Opinions of industry experts and other public sources. Infomat can accept no responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of such information or for loss or damage caused by any use thereof. All prices subject to change without notice.

$3500 USD
For the 2008 Edition

Published: 2006 August
Market: Mens Womens Childrens
Region: Korea
Industry: Retail
Pages: 45
Delivery: 7-12 Business Days
SKU: infre0000226