{
  "id": 15703900,
  "title": "Costco, Emart Traders Hit Record 1.45 Trillion Won in Combined Monthly Payments",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/costco-emart-traders-hit-record-1-45-trillion-won-in-combined-monthly",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-20T05:22:32.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "BusinessKorea",
    "slug": "businesskorea",
    "url": "https://www.businesskorea.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=279195"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In September, South Korean warehouse-style discount stores Costco and Emart Traders collectively processed a record 1.45 trillion won ($1.09 billion) in monthly payments, according to data from WiseApp Retail. Analysts attribute this surge in spending to consumers' preference for value-oriented shopping in the face of persistent high inflation. This milestone marked the peak monthly payment amount since the survey commenced. Costco ranked seventh in offline retail channels with an estimated payment index of 51.6, while Emart Traders secured the 13th position with an index of 26.8. These retailers outperformed major department store chains like Lotte Department Store and Nonghyup Hanaro Mart, which ranked ninth and tenth respectively with indices of 69.8 and 68.1. Warehouse-style discount stores are increasingly capturing grocery demand amidst rising prices by offering bulk products and bundled purchases. Industry observers note their growing presence in the retail market, traditionally dominated by department stores, hypermarkets, and convenience store chains.",
  "summary": "Monthly payments at South Korea's warehouse-style discount stores surpassed 1.45 trillion won, or approximately $1.09 billion, setting an all-time record. Analysts attribute the strong growth to a shift toward value-oriented shopping, as persistently high inflation encourages consumers to purchase b",
  "key_points": [
    "Costco and Emart Traders processed 1.45 trillion won in monthly payments in September",
    "Consumers favored value-oriented shopping amid high inflation",
    "Warehouse-style discount stores outperformed major department stores in payments"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The surge in warehouse-style spending signals a shift in consumer loyalty as shoppers prioritize bulk value and bundled deals to navigate the pressures of persistent high inflation.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}