Shinsegae is running a shopping festival for foreign visitors through October 11.
The Global Shopping Festa is being held at the department store's main Seoul location, Gangnam, Centum City and Times Square in partnership with the Korea Tourism Organization and Shinsegae Duty Free.
About 120 fashion, beauty and food brands are participating, along with global payment companies and tax-refund operators.
By the numbers
120 - Approximate number of participating brands
?300,000 / ?600,000 / ?1,000,000 - Spending thresholds at selected brands that can earn Shinsegae gift certificates worth ?30,000 / ?60,000 / ?100,000
?100,000 - Minimum spend at MAC, Bobbi Brown and Aveda for an immediate ?20,000 discount
17 - Benefits included in the Mega Special Shopping Voucher Pack for eligible foreign members
October 11 - Final day of the promotion
The promotion is not one simple discount
Different benefits apply to different brands, payment methods and spending levels.
At selected fashion brands, spending ?300,000, ?600,000 or ?1 million can earn gift certificates worth ?30,000, ?60,000 or ?100,000. Some designer labels offer gift certificates worth up to 10% on purchases of ?2 million or more.
At Korean food brands including Cheong Kwan Jang and Osulloc, purchases of ?200,000 or ?400,000 can qualify for ?20,000 or ?40,000 gift certificates.
Beauty offers include Shinsegae-exclusive sets, while MAC, Bobbi Brown and Aveda offer an immediate ?20,000 discount on purchases of at least ?100,000.
Payment method can change the deal
Alipay users can receive spending-based instant discounts and other benefits. WeChat Pay users get exchange-rate and coupon benefits. UnionPay users can receive random discounts of up to 10% along with gift certificates.
Customers who receive an immediate tax refund on cosmetics through Global Tax Free can also receive Shinsegae gift certificates.
What foreign shoppers should check before paying
The useful question is not simply whether a brand is participating.
It is which benefits apply to the exact purchase.
Before paying, shoppers should confirm:
- the minimum spending threshold
- whether the brand offers a gift certificate
- whether a payment-method promotion applies
- whether immediate tax refund is available
- whether membership or coupon download is required
The event is useful only when those conditions are checked before checkout.