[THE INVESTOR] A prolonged heat wave in South Korea is boosting sales of local retailers, cafes, hotels and theaters, industry sources said on Aug. 9.

The entire country has been hit by the scorching weather for the past two weeks, with daytime highs soaring above 35 degrees Celsius in Seoul and most other regions and the mercury staying above 25 degrees Celsius even at night.

According to Lotte Department Store, its same-store sales climbed 4.1 percent between July 25 and Aug. 7 from the corresponding period a year earlier.

Sales of consumer electronics products rose by the highest rate of 24.5 percent, with those at food courts expanding 14.1 percent.

Discount giant E-mart estimated its July sales have gone up 8 percent from the same month a year ago. In the first seven days of this month, sales of air conditioners soared 53 percent on-year with peaches and other fruits also chalking up brisk sales.

(theinvestor@heraldcorp.com)