SEOUL, June 25 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's retail sales rose in single digits in May due to solid online demand for food, daily necessities and service, government data showed Wednesday.

Combined revenue for major offline and online retailers gained 7.0 percent in May from a year earlier, after growing 7.0 percent in the previous month, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

Revenue for online retailers jumped 13.0 percent last month, maintaining a double-digit growth for the 21st straight month since September 2023.

Sales by offline retailers expanded 0.9 percent in May compared with the same month of last year, marking the first rebound in four months.

Food demand in cyberspace soared 18.2 percent, and online sales of daily necessities climbed 6.0 percent.

Online demand for service, including travel, food delivery and e-coupon purchase, spiked 37.3 percent, but sales of sports items declined in double digits.

Demand for food and daily necessities in offline stores inched up in single figures, but offline sales of sports items, clothing and home appliances retreated in single digits.

Revenue among discount outlets and department stores mounted on higher product prices, but sales in convenience stores recorded a single-digit reduction last month. ■