The nation’s imported perfume market is not only untouched by the extended economic slowdown ― it’s enjoying its heyday.

Sales of imported perfumes are soaring at local department stores, up about tenfold compared to those of cosmetic products which dropped hard this year. The spotlight is not on the licensed perfumes produced by luxury brands like Gucci, Chanel or Dior, but rather on the recently launched “premium” perfumes such as Joe Malone or diptyque, which are less familiar and more expensive.

Sales of the premium perfumes rose by 69.6 percent in 2010, 65.6 percent in 2011 and 35.1 percent this year as of October, while those of licensed perfumes increased by only 0.6 percent in 2010, 32.7 percent in 2011 and 13 percent as of October in 2010. Those of cosmetic goods, on the other hand, decreased by 40.7 percent in 2009 year-on-year, 23.2 percent in 2010, 17.6 percent in 2011 and 4 percent in 2012.

“The popularity is moving from licensed perfumes to expensive premium perfumes as consumers, armed with knowledge gained through Internet blogs, are ready to spend more for themselves,” said a spokesperson of Shinsegae Department Store.

“The package is pretty, and they are not as expensive as bags. Premium perfumes have settled down as a satisfying ‘gift for myself.’”

A common characteristic of the premium perfumes is that they have unique scents that differ from the familiar flower, fruit or musk-scented perfumes. More offer unisex scents as well, and full sets of the same scent, from eau de toilette and body lotion to candles and room spray.

Local department stores are competitively opening new zones for premium perfumes. Galleria Department Store in Seoul recently exclusively opened boutiques for Amore Pacific’s premium perfume brand Annick Goutal and U.S. brand Le Labo. Out of 34 cosmetic boutiques in the department store, eight are perfume shops.

Shinsegae Department Store renewed the cosmetics and perfume zones in its main store and Gangnam stores, putting more emphasis on perfumes. Premium perfumes including diptyque and Seruge Lutens are found in the perfume shop in the main store and Byredo and baby perfume brand Bonpoint are exclusively found in the Gangnam store.

Joe Malone, which came in stock in both the main and Gangnam store in August, is so popular that many have put themselves on the waiting list for a good five to six months to purchase some of the bestsellers.

More premium perfumes are coming in, as more cosmetic brands are jumping into the heated market here.

This month U.S. cosmetic brand Kiehl launched a perfume line named Aromatic Blends, which is sold in 42 department stores throughout the nation. LG Household and Healthcare, which in July created Coty Korea with French perfume maker Coty, will bring in Grace, Coty’s most representative line.

“The popularity of premium perfumes is reviving the perfume market in department stores. We will continue to expand perfume zones and bring in international brands,” said Shim Han-seong, cosmetics buyer at Shinsegae Department Store.

By Park Min-young  (claire@heraldcorp.com)