Sales of laptop computers have sharply increased in South Korea, apparently boosted by the growing popularity of smartphones, local retailers said Monday.

Shinsegae Department Store, the flagship unit of retailer Shinsegae, said sales of laptop computers in the first 20 days of January went up 112 percent from a year earlier. Lotte Department Store, run by South Korea’s top retailer, Lotte Shopping, said laptop computers sales climbed 25 percent over the cited period.

Retailers said Apple’s laptop computer series gained ground, helped by the release of its flagship iPhone in the local market in December.

According to Lotte’s smaller rival, Hyundai Department Store, sales of Apple’s laptop computer, Macbook, rose 50-60 percent in the first 21 days of January from a year ago.

Ten Apple shops in the Lotte Department Store chain saw a 30 percent increase of Macbook sales in the same period of last year.

Retailers attributed the growing demand for laptop computers to consumers’ increasing preference for portable devices. Major personal computer manufacturers have released new laptop models following the release of the iPhone, offering a larger selection for computers, they added.

“About 40 percent of home personal computer buyers purchased laptop computers,” said Lee Byung-joo, a buyer at Shinsegae Department Store.

YonhapNewsAgency

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