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How to prepare for a succesful shopping day in Seoul

This Article is a To-Do-List for you to prepare yourself for a successful shopping day. You will find useful tips to save money while you can spend money without feeling guilty.1

So what do we need for a successful shopping day in Seoul ?

  1. You need a comfortable pair of shoes! You will be busy with shopping the whole day, uncomfortable shoes will kill you.
  2. If there is something you like in a store write down the registration number which is mounted on every store. These department stores can be like a labyrinth sometimes.
  3. Bargaining is a tradition which almost became extinct because most prices are reasonable. But if you want to try your luck it is possible to beat down the price up to 5 %.
  4. Let’s talk about sale!
    • Duty-free-Shops: Usually sale takes place from July to August and from December to February. Not to forget to mention that stores outside of department stores and Duty-free-Shops have sale too which are not related to these stores.
    • Department stores: These sales are 4 times a year available which are in January,April,July, and October. Additionally lots of other sales like: sales for special holidays, season-off sales etc. are helping you to shop at reasonable prices.

5. Finding the right size might be a bit complicated since they are using a different method.

I hope this is going to help you:

<Men’s clothes>

Size Measurements

S

M

L

XL

XXL

Chest (cm)

90~95

95~100

100~105

105~110

110~

Waist (inch)

30/32

33/34

34/36

36/38

38/40

<Women’s clothes>

Size Measurements

S

M

L

XL

XXL

Korea-Chest (cm)

85

90

95

100

105

Korea

44

55

66

77

88

U.S.A.

0/1

3/5

7/9

11/13

15/17

Italy

36

38~40

42~44

46~48

50~52

<Men’s shoe sizes>

Korea (mm)

250

255

260

265

270

275

280

285

290

295

U.S.A.

7.5

8

8.5

9

9.5

10

10.5

11

11.5

12

 

<Women’s shoe sizes>

Korea (mm)

220

225

230

235

240

245

250

255

260

265

270

U.S.A.

5

5.5

6

6.5

7

7.5

8

8.5

9

9.5

10

Italy

35.5

36

36.5

37

37.5

38

38.5

39

39.5

40

40.5

 

      6. The difference between Duty-free-Shops and Tax-free-Shops:

  • Duty-free-Shops are offering products without the VAT and ICT. These shops are usually run by big department store chains like Lotte, Silla and Shinsegae. You can find them at the airport or downtown. You can get a tax refund by showing your quittance at a Tax-refund-shop.

  • Korea has about 12.077 Tax-free-Shops. You can buy them without the VAT and ICT or you pay the full price and get the refund at the airport or at another certified refund branch. Have your passport with you to get it.

    The total purchase price including taxes has to be more than 30.000 won and less than 200.000 Won. For the overall travel time the total purchase price is limited to 1.000.000 Won.2

Here is a list of refund branches:

Global Blue

1. Lotte Department Store (B1F, 1F, 4F)

2. Hyundai Department Store – Sinchon (10F)

3. Galleria-Department Store (5F)

4. Lotte-Department Store – Jamsil (11F)

5. Kumkang Myeong-dong (3F)

6. Gasan W Mall (8F)

7. Hyundai City Outlet Gasan (3F)

8. Shinsegae Department Store (Busan Centum City) (B2F)

9. Shinsegae Department Store Yeongdeungpo (1F)

10. Mario Outlet (Hall 1 – 8F, Hall 3 – 11F)

11. ABC Mart GS – Myeong-dong Branch (3F) (21, Myeongdong 8na-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul)

Global Tax Free

1. Woori Bank – Myeong-dong Financial Center Branch

2. Shinsegae-Department Store – Main branch (B1F, 1F, 4F)

3. Shinsegae-Department Store – Gangnam (2F)

4. Hyundai-Department Store – Apgujeong (Main Branch) (2F)

5. Lotte Department Store – COEX Branch (2F)

6. Galleria-Department Store (5F)

7. Doota (B2)

8. Lotte FITIN (8F)

9. Olive Young Flagshipstore (2F) (53, Myeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul)

10. Lotte World Mall (5F)

11. Hwachangtosan Co. Ltd. (1F) (212, Yeonhwa-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul)

12. DI Mall (B2) (123 Toegye-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul)

13. TNGT (Myeong-dong) (3F) (21, Myeongdong 8na-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul)

14. Hyundai City Outlet – Dongdaemun Branch (B1F)(20, Jangchungdan-ro 13-gil,Jung-gu)

15. Les More (Myeong-dong)

16. Roem (Myeong-dong) (3F) (Chungmu-ro 1-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul)

17. Shinsegae-Department Store- Centum City (Busan) (1F)

18. Busan Bank – Seomyun Lotte Branch (1F) (61, Sincheon-daero 78beon-gil, Busanjin-gu, Busan)

19. Busan Bank – Sinchangdong Branch (13 Gwangbokjungang-ro, Jung-gu, Busan)

20. Busan Bank – Lotte Dong Busan Premium Outlet Filiale (3F)
(147 Gijanghaean-ro, Gijang-eup, Gijang-gun, Busan)

21. Busan Bank – Shinsegae Busan Outlet Branch (3F)
(1133 Jeonggwan-ro, Jangan-eup, Gijang-gun, Busan)

22. CK Partners (379, Jeungsan-ro, Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul)

23. E-Land World New Balance – Hongdae Branch (3F) (20, Hongik-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul)

24. I’PARK Mall – Fashion Hall (1F)

GLOBAL TAX FREE (Kiosk Machine)

1. Hyundai-Department Store U-PLEX – Daegu Branch (8F)

2. Olive Young – Subway Branch, Hongdae Ipgu (1F) (LG Palace Building, 156, Yanghwa-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul)

3. Parnas Mall (B1F)

4. Busan Renecite

5. Namgyeong Medical Co. Ltd. (1F) (83 Sopa-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul)

6. MCM Myeongdong SPACE (3F) (17, Myeongdong 8ga-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul)

7. Hyundai Premium Outlet Gimpo (1F)

8. Olive Young – Ewha Womans University Jungang Branch (43 Ewhayeodae-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul)

9. Olive Young – Garosugil Branch (5 Dosan-daero 13-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul)

10. Olive Young – Seomyeong Jungang Branch (Dongbo Plaza, 704 Jungang-daero, Busanjin-gu, Busan)

11. Line Friends Store – Myeong-dong Branch (2F) (9, Myeongdong 8na-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul)

12. Line Friends Store – Itaewon Branch (2F) (200, Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul)

13. TNGT – Myeong-dong Branch (2F) (Myeong-dong Dept. Store, 21, Myeongdong 8na-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul)

14. Lloyd – Dongdaemun Design Plaza (B2F)

15. Hyundai-Department Store – Pangyo Branch (10F) (20, Pangyoyeok-ro 146-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do)

16. Hyundai-Department Store – D-Cube City Branch (5F) (662, Gyeongin-ro, Guro-gu, Seoul)

17. I’PARK Mall – Living Hall (3F)

18. SM COEX Artium (4F) (513, Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul)

19. Hyundai City Outlet – Dongdaemun Branch (10F) (20, Jangchungdan-ro 13-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul)

20. Hyundai City Outlet – Songdo Branch (1F) (123, Songdogukje-daero, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon)

21. Paju Premium Outlets (1F)

22. Yeoju Premium Outlets (1F)

23. Seoul Station City Airport Terminal (B2) (378, Cheongpa-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul)

24. Airport Railroad Express – Incheon Airport Station (B1F) (271, Gonghang-ro, Jung-gu, Incheon)

25. Olive Young – Jeju Jungmun Resort Branch (32, Jungmungwangwang-ro 110beon-gil, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do)

26. JSM Department Store (1F) (51, Sammu-ro, Jeju-si, Jeju-do)

27. Shinsegae-Department Store – Gimhae Branch (4F) (2232, Gimhae-daero, Gimhae-si, Gyeongsangnam-do)

28. All Mask Story – Myeong-dong Branch Nr. 1 (1F) (7, Myeongdong 7-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul)

29. All Mask Story – Myeong-dong Branch Nr. 3 (1F) (7-1, Myeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul)

30. All Mask Story – Myeong-dong Branch Nr. 5 (1F)
(19-13, Myeongdong 10-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul) v31. LF Around the Corner – Garosu-gil Branch (B1F)(24, Apgujeong-ro 12-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul)

32. BK Plastic Surgery – Sinsa Branch (2F) (106, Dosan-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul)

33. ID Hospital (1F) (142, Dosan-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul)

34. Medical Korea Information Center (2F)(Sinil Building, 131, Toegye-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul)

35. JK Plastic Surgery (1F) (JK Building, 835, Nonhyeon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul)

36. The Line Plastic Surgery (1F)(Sinung Tower, 157, Dosan-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul)

37. Doota (4F)

38. Official Holiday (5F) (33, Apgujeong-ro 12-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul)

39. E-Land World New Balance – Hongdae Branch (3F) (20, Hongik-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul)

40. WHO.A.U – Myeong-dong Branch (4F)

41. CK Partners (1F) (379, Jeungsan-ro, Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul)

42. Common Ground (1F)

KT Tourist Reward

1. Lotte Department Store – Main Branch (Myeong-dong) (1F, 9F)

2. Hazzys – Myeong-dong Branch (Chungmuro 2-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul)

3. Aritaum – Myeong-dong Branch (2F)

4. Aritaum – Myeong-dong Cielo Branch (2F) (Johun Building, 2, Myeongdong 3-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul)

5. Cheongha Korean Ginseng Co., Ltd. (1F) (280, Jahamun-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul)

6. Lotte-Department Store – Avenuel World Tower Branch (6F) (300, Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul)

7. Lotte- Department Store El Cube- Hongdae Branch (4F) (4, Hongik-ro 6-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul)

KT Tourist Reward (Kiosk Machine)

1. Watson’s – Myeong-dong Branch Nr. 2 (64, Namdaemun-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul)

2. Watson’s – Myeong-dong Jungang Branch (35-15, Myeongdong 10-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul)

3. Korea Exchange (B2F) (Gaeyang Building, 6, Myeongdong 3-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul)

4. Aritaum Flagship Store – Gangnam (1F) (54, Seocho-daero 77-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul)

5. Insa Art Plaza

6. Belport – Garosu-gil Branch (2F) (14, Dosan-daero 13-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul)

7. Lotte-Department Store – Jamsil Branch (11F)

8. Dream Plastic Surgery (2F) (848, Nonhyeon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul)

9. Abijou Clinic – Myeong-dong Branch (5F) (109, Toegye-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul)

10. Aritaum – Myeong-dong Branch

11. Watson’s – Ehwa Branch (34, Ehwayeodae-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul)

12. Gwanghae Luxury Shop (2F) (72, Toegye-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul)

13. Won Ginseng Farm – Daegu Branch (673, Gukjebosang-ro, Jung-gu, Daegu)

14. Won Cosmetic – Daegu Branch (1F) (227, Palgong-ro, Dong-gu, Daegu)

15. Sale Mart – Jeju Baojian Street (1F) (38, Sammu-ro, Jeju-si, Jeju-do)

Easy Tax Refund

1. KB Kookmin Bank – Main Branch (84, Namdaemun-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul)

2. KB Kookmin Bank – Myeong-dong Branch  (Sinil Building, 131, Toegye-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul)

3. KB Kookmin Bank – Ehwa Baekkot Branch (1F)  (50-6, Ihwayeodae-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul)

4. KB Kookmin Bank – Ehwa Womans Univ. Station Branch (6, Sinchonyeok-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul)

5. KB Kookmin Bank – Sinsa Jungang Branch (1F im Jinwoo Building)  (149, Dosan-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul)

6. KB Kookmin Bank – Seogyo-dong Branch (18, Hongik-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul)

7. Kookmin Bank – Sinjeju Branch (57, Singwang-ro, Jeju-si, Jeju-do)

Cube Refund

1. Jeongnam Shopping – Myeong-dong Branch (2F) (22, Myeongdong 8ga-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul)

2. The Face Shop – Ehwa Womans University Branch (34, Ehwayeodae-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul)

3. Ehwa Cosmetic (1F-2F) (125, Yanghwa-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul)

4. Exco Duty-Free-Shop in Hotel Inter-Burgo – Daegu

5. CN Tourist Hotel (1F) (7490, Iljuseo-ro, Jeju-si, Jeju-do)

6. Lotte-Department Store – Busan Branch (1F)

I hope this Article was helpful to prepare you for a successful shopping day in Seoul. The next post is about hot shopping spots in Seoul you shouldn’t miss and about the Korean won.3

See you next time!

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