Hite Jinro’s premium soju wins Monde Selection award

Hite Jinro on Tuesday said its premium soju brand Ilpoom Jinro has won the grand gold prize in the spirits and liquor category at the Monde Selection 2016 International Awards.

It marks the seventh consecutive year that Ilpoom Jinro has kept its title in the category, Hite Jinro said, stressing that the award “signifies international recognition of Ilpoom Jinro’s taste

Ilpoom Jinro is a premium soju made by aging Hite Jinro’s original distilled soju in oak wood for more than 10 years.

(jys@heraldcorp.com)


Innisfree launches pro-environment campaign

Korean cosmetics brand Innisfree is once again holding a pro-environment handkerchief campaign this month in celebration of June, which is dedicated to the environment.

Innisfree is introducing a number of limited-edition products and a range of handkerchiefs printed with themes inspired by Jejudo Island and its nature.

Throughout this month, consumers who purchase a limited-edition product will receive a handkerchief on a first come, first serve basis, according to Innisfree.

For more information, visit Innisfree stores nationwide or www.innisfree.co.kr.

(jys@heraldcorp.com)


Lotte Confectionery launches banana-flavored ice cream

Korea’s leading snack maker Lotte Confectionery has introduced three new banana-flavored ice cream products, following the popularity of its banana snacks lineup.

The new items are the banana-infused versions of Lotte’s World Cone ice cream, Seolleim Milk Shake and Mallang Cow milk ice cream.

Lotte expects them to be popular this summer, riding on the “banana craze” that has swept the local snack market over the past few months.

(jys@heraldcorp.com)


Ikea breaks ground on new store in Goyang

Ikea held a groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday to mark the construction of its new store in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. Upon its completion in 2017, the new store will be Ikea’s second outlet in Korea.

Ikea Goyang, which is being built with an investment of around 300 billion won ($254 million), will span across 164,000 square meters and consist of seven floors, the company said.

The company expects the new store to help expand Korea’s home furnishing market and spur job creation, as some 550 new employees will be hired to work there.

Ikea currently operates a store in Gwangmyeong. It plans to invest a total of 1.2 trillion won until 2020 to build six stores in Korea by 2020.

(jys@heraldcorp.com)


Gmarket holds summer watermelon promotion

Korea’s leading e-commerce operator Gmarket is offering various promotions and discounts on a range of watermelon varieties until May 29.

Gmarket is offering a 33 percent discount on three types of watermelons — mango watermelon, black watermelon and regular watermelon. Each are priced at 19,900 won ($17).

The e-commerce operator said it had organized the promotional event as more people are purchasing watermelons online due to convenient deliveries.

(jys@heraldcorp.com )


Pascucci launches new summer Granitas

Coffee franchise Caffe Pascucci has launched eight new types of Granitas, an Italian drink that combines shaved ice with coffee or fruits, in line with summer.

There is the “Coffee Granita,” made with espresso and whipped cream, and the “Fruit Granita,” a fruity sherbet accompanied by Italian gelato.

The “Coffee Granita” comes in three flavors — espresso, caramel and mocha — while the “Fruit Granita” is available in strawberry, peach and lemon mint, Pascucci said.

Customers can also select a gelato topping including salty gelato, latte gelato and yogurt gelato.

(jys@heraldcorp.com)