Department stores and duty-free shops in central Seoul also enjoyed a boom thanks to BTS's comeback concert. As demand for food surged ahead of the show, sales at K-pop specialty shops inside duty-free stores rose by nearly up to three times.
According to the industry on the 22nd, Shinsegae Department Store's main branch saw sales on the 21st, the day of the concert, rise 41% year over year, starting from the 20th when preparations began. As fans stocked up on food in anticipation of long outdoor waits, sales in ready-to-eat (deli) and dessert categories climbed 184% (2.8 times) and 182% (2.8 times), respectively.
Shinsegae Duty Free's Myeongdong branch saw sales at its K-pop specialty "K-Wave Zone" increase 50% from a week earlier (the 13th–14th). BTS key rings and puzzles repeatedly sold out and were restocked, and crossbody bags and plush dolls were also reportedly close to selling out.
In fact, the influx of foreign tourists also increased. By nationality, Britons were up threefold; Americans and Indonesians 2.7 times; Germans and Australians twofold; and Japanese 1.4 times, according to the tally.
At Lotte Duty Free's Myeongdong main store, sales from individual foreign tourists on the 20th–21st increased 88% year over year. The number of purchasing customers rose 27%, indicating a higher average transaction value. Over the two days, visitors to "Star Avenue," where people can enjoy Hallyu star content, increased 16% compared with the March average.