Daesang Enters Consumer Beverage Business … First Product to Launch is ‘Red Vinegar Water’ [Korean, OSY]

http://news.donga.com/3/all/20130527/55454674/1

Summary: Daesang, a leading consumer food processor in Korea, announced that its first beverage products, 4 different varieties of red vinegar water products, launched on May 27.  Daesang targets to achieve 10 billion won of sales from the beverage business this year.

Wine Imports This Year Likely to Set a Record High [Korean, OSY]

http://www.hankyung.com/news/app/newsview.php?aid=2013052731451

Summary: According to the Korea International Trade Association (KITA), imports of wine into Korea totaled 11,152 metric tons during the first four months this year, up 30.2 percent from the same period last year.  KITA pointed out that the import figure this year was even higher than 2007 when total yearly imports set a record high, 31,810 metric tons.  According to E Mart, the leading hypermarket grocery store chain in Korea, wine was the leading product in the alcohol beverage section in E Mart during January through May 19 by accounting for a 21.1 percent of total section sales.

Lotte Launches Its First Drugs Store, “LOHBs” [Korean, OSY]

http://www.hankyung.com/news/app/newsview.php?aid=2013052338601

Summary: Lotte Shopping Co. announced that its first drugs store, “LOHBs” was opened in Seoul on May 24.  The store, 165 sq. meter size, offers 8,000 products including over 1,000 health & functional foods.