South Korean bulk buying hits record US$1.1 billion as shoppers trim food bills

South Korean bulk buying reached a record US$1.1 billion as consumers adjusted their purchasing habits in response to rising food prices. Faced with increasing household expenses, shoppers like 42-year-old mother of two Kim Eun-young in Seoul have shifted away from traditional neighborhood supermarkets.

Instead, these consumers have adopted regular monthly trips to warehouse stores such as Costco to secure better value and trim their overall food bills amid broader economic pressures.