South Korea's major department stores and discount chains saw their sales increase in September from a year earlier on increased holiday shoppers, government data showed Wednesday.

The combined sales of three department store chains -- Hyundai, Lotte and Shinsegae -- rose 2.8 percent on-year last month, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

The total sales of three major discount outlet chains -- E-Mart, Homeplus and Lotte Mart -- also gained 7 percent from a year ago in September.

The rise is attributable to an apparent growth in consumption as people bought gifts for family and friends, and prepared special dishes around the Chuseok holiday that came in September this year.

Sales at convenience stores, meanwhile, continued to grow by a large margin, spiking 30.8 percent on-year last month, helped by a rise in cigarette sales.

Sales at super supermarkets, mostly run by large retailers, climbed 2.7 percent on-year, according to the latest data. (Yonhap)