Premium fruit showcase runs June 11–17

The fruit section at Lotte Mart's Grand Grocery store in Guri [Lotte Mart]
The fruit section at Lotte Mart's Grand Grocery store in Guri [Lotte Mart]

Lotte Mart said Thursday that sales of premium fruits — including high-sugar-content and AI-sorted products — rose 20 percent year-on-year over the past year, from June 2025 through May 2026. Sales of "win-win fruit," discounted items sold at lower prices due to small size or minor blemishes, also grew 20 percent.

"The K-shaped polarization spreading across the consumer market is showing up in fruit as well," a Lotte Mart official said. "Fruit is emerging as a key category that can demonstrate differentiated product competitiveness."

Premium fruit sales at Lotte Mart have posted double-digit growth for two consecutive years. The share of premium products within total fruit sales has also more than tripled, rising from around 6 percent four years ago to 20 percent over the most recent 12-month period.

Advances in sorting technology have driven the premium fruit expansion. Lotte Mart has introduced 100 percent sugar-content sorting for all fruits where non-destructive sweetness testing is technically feasible, raising overall quality standards across the board. The retailer also operates a dedicated lineup of high-sugar-content and AI-sorted products.

The company has also deployed a "full-spec purchasing strategy" aimed at keeping prices reasonable. The approach draws on the combined buying power of Lotte Mart and its supermarket division to purchase produce of varying sizes and ratings directly from growing regions in bulk.

Lotte Mart plans to roll out a range of premium products this summer, starting with watermelons and oriental melons before expanding to grapes, peaches and other varieties. A premium fruit showcase runs June 11–17. L.Point members can buy premium watermelons at a 30 percent discount.


spa@heraldcorp.com