[THE INVESTOR] Online retailers have reported a surge in sales of mobile gift certificates ahead of the Chuseok holiday, according to the retailers on Sept. 9.

Thanks to their convenience, mobile gift cards have rapidly gained popularity in South Korea and become a staple of gift giving before major holidays.

According to an online shopping website, 11th Street, sales of mobile gift certificates jumped about six times more during the first seven days of this month, compared with the seven-day period ahead of Chuseok last year.

Sales of mobile gift cards issued by discount store chains soared nearly sixfold, while sales of mobile cards issued by convenience stores and bakery franchise brands jumped about four times the amount on year.

During the first seven days of this month, Gmarket, another online shopping website, saw sales of mobile gift cards for chickens, pizzas and hamburgers surge more than threefold.

“Mobile gift certificates are gaining popularity ahead of the Chuseok holiday because people can deliver their sense of gratitude in a simple way,” said an official at Gmarket.

(theinvestor@heraldcorp.com)