Online shopping malls join for Black Friday 2

In an effort to win back shoppers from overseas e-commerce sites, 10 local online shopping malls have designated their own Black Friday on Dec. 12 to offer discounts comparable to that of Black Friday U.S. deals.

Ellotte under Lotte Group, Hyundai Hmall, 11th Street, CJ O Shopping, Galleria Mall and five other malls will offer 50-70 percent off for the day.

Consumers can either go to each website or an open market mall such as 11th Street, where the deals of other operators will be listed together.

Major offers include Galleria’s 50 percent off on Fendi sunglasses. For digital enthusiasts looking for bargains, 11th Street will sell the Galaxy Note Edge at for 521,500 won ($465) and iPhone 6 for 425,000 won, both half off.

Hyundai Hmall will have 200 items on sale, while Ellotte and Lotte.com will provide additional mileage points if consumers use a Lotte Card.

The two online malls affiliated with Lotte Group will focus on offering discounts on best-selling products.

“Ten shopping malls teamed up to target customers who are looking for year-end shopping,” said Park Joon-young, marketing director at 11th Street.

Other local retailers also are offering sales to compete with overseas e-commerce giants.

Despite those efforts to attract customers, Korean shoppers made purchases in droves on international shopping malls, typically through shipping agencies.

Malltail, Korea’s largest shipping agency for overseas direct shopping, said 600,000 orders were placed between Nov. 28 and Dec. 1, 50 percent more than last year. The shopping spree boosted November’s monthly sales by 61 percent compared to October.

BY PARK EUN-JEE [ejpark@joongang.co.kr]