The retail industry is expected to draw people's attention ahead of the golden holiday in May with events featuring popular characters such as Pokémon, Snoopy, and Mickey Mouse. This appears to be a move to awaken the stagnant consumer sentiment due to the long-term recession and inject vitality into the domestic market.

Visitors are taking photos in front of the large Metamon Refrass balloon installed at Seokchon Lake. /Courtesy of Lotte Property & Development

According to Lotte Property & Development on the 1st, the 'Pokémon Town 2025 with Lotte' created in the Jamsil area, including Lotte World Tower, Lotte World Mall, and Seokchon Lake, had over 1.2 million visitors during the five-day event. The event runs from the 25th of last month to the 18th of this month.

This year's main character is 'Ditto,' who can transform into all Pokémon. Currently, there are large balloons of Lapras and Pikachu, measuring 16 meters high and 18 meters wide, floating above Seokchon Lake. These Pikachu and Lapras are portrayed as Pokémon transformed by Ditto. Additionally, there is an event venue featuring 100 Ditto, a Ditto world experience booth, a large photo zone, and a Pokémon card exhibition.

Visitors are taking commemorative photos at the pop-up store (temporary store) Snoopy Place set up at Shinsegae Department Store Gangnam. /Courtesy of Shinsegae Department Store

Shinsegae Department Store has launched a pop-up store (temporary shop) to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the popular comic 'Peanuts' on the first floor open stage of its Gangnam branch, running until the 6th. 'Peanuts' is a four-panel comic that first appeared in American newspapers in 1950, running for 50 years until the death of its creator, Charles Schulz, in 2000. The main characters, Charlie Brown and his dog Snoopy, are particularly popular.

The pop-up location will feature various goods, including a Snoopy acrylic keyring set, eco bags, one-touch tumblers, plush toys, and Snoopy-shaped candle holders. The Peanuts pop-up will continue from the 9th to the 18th at the Centum City branch in Busan, followed by another at the Daegu branch from the 23rd to June 1.

Hyundai Department Store, in collaboration with The Walt Disney Company Korea, is conducting a 'Share the Love' campaign at Hyundai Department Store and Hyundai Outlet locations nationwide until the 31st. The stores are decorated with Disney's iconic characters, 'Mickey Mouse and Friends,' and various events such as face painting, coloring activities, and balloon giveaways are being organized. Notably, a separate Disney pop-up store will be operated at ten Hyundai Department Store and Hyundai Outlet locations that do not have a Disney Store.

Visitors are taking photos at the event site of the campaign Share the Love, which is currently being conducted in collaboration with Walt Disney Company Korea at Hyundai Department Store. /Courtesy of Hyundai Department Store