2020 Korean Supermarkets, Department Stores | January Holidays
Covering Lotte, Emart, Shinsegae, Hyundai
Hello everyone! We're Creatrip, your group of Korean travel experts.
Happy New Year everyone! If you're a traveller in Korea in January, head over to a supermarket only to find out that it's closed for holidays, then how will you fulfill your wishlist for Korean products before your trip ends?
January 2020 in Korea has Lunar New Year fall in the month and although that only gives people 3 days off, we decided to organize the open and closed days by big supermarkets and department stores so that you can plan your shopping days in Korea with ease.
Lotte Mart
Lotte Mart is closed every second and fourth Sundays of the month so they will be closed on Sunday, January 12th and Sunday, January 26th.
We've also organized the information on other branches as well, so you can compare the hours and see which one is the closest to you.
The hours of all other branches not listed below are 10:00-23:00.
- Seoul Station (서울역점) : 10:00-24:00
- Majang Premium (마장휴게소점) : 10:00-20:00
- Yeongjongdo Island (영종도점) : 10:00-22:30
- Gyeonggi Yangpyeong (경기양평점) : 10:00-22:00
- Jecheon (제천점) : 10:00-22:00
- Seocheongju (서청주점) : 10:30-23:00
- Dongbusan (동부산점) : 10:00-22:00
The holidays may differ slightly by branch but generally in big cities including Seoul, Incheon and Busan will be closed on January 12th and January 16th. Lotte Mart branches in other areas including Gyeonggido and Ulsan may have different holidays.
- Haengdang (행당점) : Closed on Jan. 8 (Wed), Jan. 22 (Wed)
- Jeju (제주점) : Closed on Jan. 10 (Fri), Jan. 25 (Sat)
E-Mart
Emart is a popular shopping destination for travellers from abroad and their holidays are similar to those of Lotte Mart, closed on every second and fourth Sundays of the month.
Generally, Emart branches and its sub-brand No Brand branches will be closed on January 12th and January 26th in cities including Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Incheon (excluding Incheon Airport branch).
Branches in other cities may have different holidays so we've looked up the holidays for the branches we think you might want to shop at.
- No Brand Incheon Airport : Closed on Jan. 12 (Sun), Jan. 25 (Sat), Jan. 26 (Sun)
- E-mart Incheon Airport : Closed on Jan. 8 (Wed), Jan. 25 (Sat)
- Jeju (All Branches) : Closed on Jan. 10 (Fri), Jan. 25 (Sat)
If you'd like to know the holidays for branches not covered in the blog post, please leave a comment below.
Homeplus
Homeplus constantly offers deals on products, attracting lots of international friends to stop by and buy Korean products to bring back home. The Hapjeong branch is especially busy with lots of locals and travellers shopping for goods they need and want.
Similarly, Homeplus in Seoul, Incheon, Busan will be closed on the second and fourth Sundays of the month which is the 12th and the 26th.
Lotte Department Store & Duty Free
Lotte Department Store is another must-go place for tourists who want to get their shopping done. Please keep in mind that the Myeongdong Flagship location will be closed on the 24th (Fri) and the 25th (Sat).
Lotte Department Store is open until 20:30 on Fri, Sat, Sun and until 20:00 on all other days. Lotte Duty Free is open 365 days a year and the hours are 9:30-21:00.
The holidays of major locations in Busan, Gangnam, Yeongdeungpo, Daegu, Cheongnyangni are as below:
- Jamsil : Jan. 24 (Fri), Jan. 25 (Sat)
- Yeongdeungpo : Jan. 1 (Wed), Jan. 24 (Fri), Jan. 25 (Sat)
- Cheongnyangni : Jan. 1 (Wed), Jan. 24 (Fri), Jan. 25 (Sat)
- Gangnam : Jan. 1 (Wed), Jan. 24 (Fri), Jan. 25 (Sat)
- Gimpo Airport : Open All Days
- Busan Flagship : Jan. 24 (Fri), Jan. 25 (Sat)
- Daegu : Jan. 1 (Wed), Jan. 24 (Fri), Jan. 25 (Sat)
- Centum City : Jan. 1 (Wed), Jan. 24 (Fri), Jan. 25 (Sat)
Lotte Department Store | Official Website
Hyundai Department Store & U-Plex
Hyundai Department Store is not only loved by foreign visitors but frequented by locals. The hours of most locations are 10:30-20:30. Their holidays are as listed below:
- Apgujeong : Jan. 1 (Wed), Jan. 25 (Sat), Jan. 26 (Sun)
- Cheonho : Jan. 1 (Wed), Jan. 25 (Sat), Jan. 26 (Sun)
- Sinchon : Jan. 1 (Wed), Jan. 25 (Sat), Jan. 26 (Sun)
- Busan : Jan. 1 (Wed), Jan. 25 (Sat), Jan. 26 (Sun)
- Samcheong : Jan. 1 (Wed), Jan. 24 (Fri), Jan. 25 (Sat)
- Daegu : Jan. 1 (Wed), Jan. 24 (Fri), Jan. 25 (Sat)
Hyundai Department Store | Official Website
U-Plex Department Store Sinchon, which offers lots of trendy and designer clothing for the young generation, operates 10:30-22:00 and will be closed on Saturday, January 25th.
Please keep in mind that if you find clothes at independent local brands, make sure you compare the prices as a lot of them are brought in from wholesalers.
Shinsegae
I'm not sure if a lot of you guys would be interested in going to any Shinsegae location, but the Myeongdong branch is worth checking out.
Shinsegae will be closed on Wednesday the 1st, Saturday the 25th, and Sunday the 26th. Please refer to the list before you head on over.
Most Shinsegae locations operate from 10:30-20:00 but open until 20:30 on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and select holidays. Please refer to the list below for more information.
- Gangnam : Jan. 1 (Wed), Jan. 24 (Fri), Jan. 25 (Sat)
- Yeongdeungpo : Jan. 1 (Wed), Jan. 24 (Fri), Jan. 25 (Sat)
- Gimhae : Jan. 1 (Wed), Jan. 24 (Fri), Jan. 25 (Sat)
- Daegu : Jan. 1 (Wed), Jan. 24 (Fri), Jan. 25 (Sat)
- Busan Centum City : Jan. 1 (Wed), Jan. 24 (Fri), Jan. 25 (Sat)
Shinsegae Department Store | Official Website
That's it for our list of holiday schedules for main shopping destinations including Lotte, Emart, Homeplus, Hyundai and Shinsegae. Please be sure to double-check the list before you head out to any of these locations during your travels in Korea. If you have questions about information not covered in the blog post, please email us at support@creatrip.com.