Imported fruit hits market

Local department stores and discount retailers have recently announced plans to promote the sales of different kinds of imported fruit until local varieties come into season.

Six branches of Hyundai Department Store in Seoul will host the "World Fruit Festival," with 29 varieties of 11 different kinds of fruit, including grapefruits, coconuts, mangoes and durians among others.

The event kicked off yesterday at Hyundai branches located in Apgujeong-dong and in Samseong-dong near the World Trade Center. The festival will continue from March 28 to April 3.

The Hyundai branch at Mokdong will hold the festival for April 4 to 15, and Sincheon, Cheonho and Mia Hyundai branches from April 15 to 20.

Lotte Department Store yesterday said that its main branch's daily sales of imported fruits such as pineapples, limes and mangos (excluding oranges) reached 1.2 million won, up 20 percent from previous month.

The store said that it plans to feature various imported fruits and give customers the chances to sample some varieties.

Shinsegae Department Store's Sogong-dong branch will hold a similar even from March 28 to April 3 and its Mia branch from April 1 to 4.

Home Plus, a discount store with 22 branches nationwide, said that it has begun selling imported bananas every Sunday starting this month.

They also announced that each Home Plus branch will feature 12 different kinds of imported fruits for sale starting in April.