Interest in Preserving Health Growing Amid Biz Slump

Amid the economic slowdown in Korea, more people are seeking to get healthier.

The use of the term MBA to mean “mountain, bike and athletics” is catching on in the country. A growing number of people seek to maintain good health at the smallest expense in the belief that health is the best asset in economic times as bad as these.

Hyundai Department Store said sales of outdoor leisure and sports products have increased 12.5 percent this year from the same period last year. Sales at Outdoor Cube, a boutique within the store targeting professional mountain climbers, have jumped about 41 percent over the same period.

As a result, Hyundai will open additional Outdoor Cubes in at least two more branches in this year’s second half. The retail chain is operating the specialty shop at three branches in Seoul.

Hmall, an online shopping mall operated by Hyundai Home Shopping, said sales of bikes jumped more than 80 percent this year through April 19 year-on-year. The bestseller is a foldable model for use in commuting priced around 500,000 won (372 U.S. dollars).

Sales of sneakers have also soared amid the warm spring weather. Hyundai Department Store said sales of Nike running shoes have increased 40.7 percent from the same period last year.

wiseweb@donga.com