Lotte Himart sees jump in sales of anti-pollution electronic goods

SEOUL, June 10 (Yonhap) -- Sales of air purifiers and other anti-pollution electronic products at Lotte Himart Co. have jumped this year as the nation has been hit by severe fine dust, according to company data Sunday.

Lotte Himart said its sales of dryers, which have a growing popularity as one of the most representative anti-dust goods, soared 230 percent on year in the first five months of this year.

Sales of clothing care systems and air purifiers also jumped 135 percent and 90 percent, respectively, during the same period, according to Lotte Himart.

Fine dust -- particles smaller than 10 micrometers -- can cause various respiratory diseases and undermine the body's immune system.

Clothing care systems have enjoyed robust sales in South Korea since LG Electronics Inc. began selling the machines in 2011.

Coway Co. started selling its clothing care system this year, and Samsung Electronics Co. is expected to follow suit.

The local market for clothing care machines is forecast to grow to 200,000 units this year, from 120,000 units last year.
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