Jewellery drives growth and sustainability credentials gain in importance
Personal accessories in South Korea exhibited strong growth in 2025, with a current value of KRW26,897 billion, representing a 10% increase from the previous year. This growth was driven by changing consumer behaviour and preferences, particularly in jewellery, which saw a current value growth of 20%. The growth was characterised by a mix of offline and online channels, with department stores remaining dominant offline, while e-commerce platforms are gaining traction. The trend towards retail and rental, the role of Gen Z consumers and sustainability are key growth drivers, favouring affordable, design-led brands that offer eco-value. As the market continues to evolve, brands that want to succeed will need to clearly define their target appeal and emphasise unique selling points aligned with key trends such as sustainability and ethically-sourced luxury.
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Overview:
Understand the latest market trends and future growth opportunities for the Personal Accessories industry in South Korea with research from Euromonitor International's team of in-country analysts – experts by industry and geographic specialisation.
Key trends are clearly and succinctly summarised alongside the most current research data available. Understand and assess competitive threats and plan corporate strategy with our qualitative analysis, insight and confident growth projections.
Data and analysis in this report provides further detailed coverage dedicated to the following key categories, where applicable:
- Bags and Luggage
- Jewellery
- Watches
- Writing Instruments
If you're in the Personal Accessories industry in South Korea, our research will help you to make informed, intelligent decisions; to recognise and profit from opportunity, or to offer resilience amidst market uncertainty.
The Personal Accessories in South Korea report includes:
- Analysis of key supply-side and demand trends
- Detailed segmentation of international and local products
- Historic volume and value sizes, company and brand market shares
- Five year forecasts of market trends and market growth
- Robust and transparent research methodology, conducted in-country
This report answers:
- What is the market size of Personal Accessories in South Korea?
- Which are the leading brands in Personal Accessories in South Korea?
- How significant is tourism in determining sales and demand for Personal Accessories in South Korea?
- How are COVID-19 and global recession impacting demand for Personal Accessories in South Korea?
- In the wake of COVID-19, how soon can Personal Accessories be expected to recover? Where are the opportunities for growth now?
- Where is future growth expected to be most significant?
Personal Accessories in South Korea
Jewellery drives growth and sustainability credentials gain in importance
Premiumisation weakens as consumers shift from designer bags to alternative products
Changing expectations of Gen Z and Millennials create new growth opportunities
Second-hand luxury platforms gain ground as watches emerge as investment assets
Sustainability becomes a key selling point to appeal to MZ consumers
Writing instruments face structural decline as digital alternatives dominate
Ultra-luxury brands maintain appeal as investment assets whilst mid-tier players seek accessible positioning
Differentiation through customisation, community and material innovation
Polarisation accelerates as luxury concentrates at top whilst mid-tier brands lose ground
Gen Z drives growth in experiential retail through mindful consumption
Sustainability grows as a competitive selling point
Technological sophistication presents a key opportunity
Offline retail dominates
The rise of e-commerce
COUNTRY REPORTS DISCLAIMER
Bags and Luggage in South Korea
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Market polarisation reshapes luxury landscape as Gen Z drives customization and Y2K revival
Bags remains the largest category whilst luggage posts strongest volume growth
Gen Z becomes a prime focus for sustained growth
Bags to remain largest category whilst business bags decline and luggage posts strongest growth
Rising demand for customised, functional products meets growing competition from resale platforms
Gen Z and Millennials drive trend to self-expression in product choices
Leading players benefit from premium exclusivity as luxury market polarises
Gen Z yearns for Y2K nostalgia
Online draws MZ shoppers while offline channels strengthen in luxury
Jewellery in South Korea
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Market polarisation and lab-grown diamonds drive dynamic value growth
Luxury jewellery drives value sales growth despite volume decline
Lab-grown diamonds and polarised metal preferences reshape the market
Sustained growth underpinned by luxury demand and lab-grown diamond penetration
Lab-grown diamonds set to expand beyond wedding jewellery
Domestic industry development gains momentum
Richemont maintains lead despite share erosion
Offline dominance strengthens whilst e-commerce grows in costume jewellery
Traditional and Connected Watches in South Korea
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Market polarisation intensifies as multi-watch ownership and performance culture reshape demand
High-end watches drive growth with asset-oriented consumption
Performance culture reshapes connected watches whilst basic watches struggle
Complementary consumption and occasion-specific portfolios to reshape demand
Smartwatches to evolve into lifestyle infrastructure with experience-led ecosystems
Rolex and Cartier maintain leadership as ecosystem integration drives connected watches
Garmin and Suunto emerge as performance-focused specialists gain momentum
Department stores strengthen with high-end watches
Connected watches see rising demand via e-commerce
Writing Instruments in South Korea
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Platform innovation and Gen Z demand drive selective growth despite volume challenges
Platform-driven brands captured Gen Z demand and drove selective growth
Daiso – a key player through affordability and character licensing
Gen Z gravitate towards analogue experiences while AI transforms online discovery
Platform-led consumption and AI to reimagine distribution strategies
Shrinking school-age base requires lifestyle positioning anchored in analogue appeal
Mitsubishi strengthens position whilst heritage brands embraced collaborations
Channel transformation driven by general merchandise and online platforms
COUNTRY REPORTS DISCLAIMER
The following categories and subcategories are included:
Personal Accessories
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- Backpacks
- Business Bags
- Crossbody Bags
- Duffel Bags
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- Non-Luxury Handbags
- Luxury Handbags
- Wallet and Coin Pouches
- Other Small Bags
- Luggage
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- Costume Jewellery
- Fine Jewellery
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- Basic Mechanical Watches
- Mid Mechanical Watches
- High Mechanical Watches
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- Basic Quartz Analogue Watches
- Mid Quartz Analogue Watches
- High Quartz Analogue Watches
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- Basic Quartz Digital Watches
- Mid Quartz Digital Watches
- High Quartz Digital Watches
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- Basic Quartz Analogue Watches
- Basic Quartz Digital Watches
- Basic Mechanical Watches
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- Mid Quartz Analogue Watches
- Mid Quartz Digital Watches
- Mid Mechanical Watches
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- High Quartz Analogue Watches
- High Quartz Digital Watches
- High Mechanical Watches
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- Basic Activity Watch (Analogue)
- Mid Activity Watch (Analogue)
- High Activity Watch (Analogue)
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- Basic Activity Watch (Digital)
- Mid Activity Watch (Digital)
- High Activity Watch (Digital)
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- Basic Smart Wearables
- Mid Smart Wearables
- High Smart Wearables
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- Colouring
- Markers and Highlighters
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- Graphite Pencils
- Mechanical Pencils
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- Ball Point Pens
- Fountain Pens
- Roller Ball Pens
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- Pen Inkwells and Refills
- Pencil Lead Refills
- Other Writing Accessories
Personal Accessories
Personal Accessories refers to a diversified group of personal products including Bags & Luggage, Jewellery, Watches and Writing instruments.
See all of our definitionsWhy buy this report?
- Gain competitive intelligence about market leaders
- Track key industry trends, opportunities and threats
- Inform your marketing, brand, strategy and market development, sales and supply functions
This report originates from Passport, our Personal Accessories research and analysis database.
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