Lotte Department Store Guide: Branches, Tax Refunds, Shopping and Practical Tips

Lotte Department Store (롯데백화점) is one of South Korea’s major department-store chains. Its branches combine fashion, cosmetics, household goods, food halls and restaurants, while larger locations may connect to cinemas, hotels, supermarkets or shopping malls. For most visitors, the Myeongdong Main Store is the easiest branch for central Seoul, while Jamsil offers a much larger shopping and entertainment complex.

Information on opening hours, payment methods, tax refunds and closures was verified on June 11, 2026. Branch schedules and participating brands can change, so check the official Lotte Department Store website on the day of your visit.

At a glance

Department store, mall or outlet?

The Lotte name appears on several different types of retail property. Check which one you are visiting before comparing prices or looking for a particular brand.

• Lotte Department Store: Full-price fashion, cosmetics, luxury goods, home products, food halls and restaurants.
• AVENUEL: Lotte’s luxury-focused retail section or building, usually connected to a major department store.
• Lotte World Mall: A large shopping and entertainment mall in Jamsil. It is connected to the wider Lotte complex but is not simply another floor of the department store.
• Lotte Outlet or Premium Outlet: Outlet-format shopping, often outside central tourist districts. Stock, discounts and return conditions may differ from department stores.
• Lotte Mart: A supermarket and hypermarket rather than a department store.
• Lotte Duty Free: A separate duty-free retail operation. Its prices, eligibility rules, collection procedures and checkout counters are different from ordinary department-store shopping.

This distinction matters in large complexes. A brand may operate in the department store, AVENUEL, the mall and the duty-free store, with different products or promotions in each location.

Which branch should you visit?

Lotte operates department stores across Seoul, the surrounding metropolitan area, Busan and other regional cities. The official store directory lists current locations by region.

Myeongdong Main Store: easiest for central Seoul

The Main Store, called Bonjeom (본점, meaning main branch) in Korean, is at 1 Sogong-dong, Jung-gu. It is directly connected to Euljiro 1-ga Station on Seoul Subway Line 2 through Exit 7 and the basement level. Myeongdong Station is approximately a 10- to 15-minute walk away, according to the official Main Store access information.

This is generally the most convenient branch for visitors staying around Myeongdong, City Hall, Euljiro or northern central Seoul. Expect cosmetics, international and Korean fashion, luxury labels, household goods, restaurants and a basement food hall.

As verified on June 11, 2026, the official schedule showed:

• Normal department-store hours: 10:30-20:00
• Extended hours on designated days: until 20:30
• Restaurant floor: 10:30-21:00
• Next listed closure after the verification date: July 13, 2026

Do not treat these as permanent hours. Department stores regularly adjust schedules for weekends, holidays, special sales and monthly closing days.

Jamsil: best for a full shopping day

Lotte’s Jamsil complex is connected to Jamsil Station on Subway Lines 2 and 8. It includes the department store, AVENUEL, Lotte World Mall and other attractions in the surrounding Lotte World complex.

Choose Jamsil when shopping is a major part of your day or when your group wants different activities. The area offers extensive fashion and dining choices, and it is close to Lotte World Adventure, Seokchon Lake and Lotte World Tower.

The complex is large enough to cause confusion. Save the Korean name of your intended building and confirm whether a shop is in the department store, AVENUEL or World Mall before following signs.

Gimpo Airport: convenient for travelers

The Gimpo Airport branch is directly connected to Gimpo Airport Station, served by Subway Line 5, Line 9, the Airport Railroad, Gimpo Goldline and Seohae Line. Lotte describes it as part of a complex containing shopping, dining, a cinema, a mart and a hotel.

It can be useful before or after a domestic flight, but allow enough time for check-in and security. Gimpo Airport also handles some international routes, so confirm your terminal rather than assuming all departures use the same area.

Busan Main: convenient for Seomyeon

Busan Main Store is in Seomyeon, one of the city’s main commercial and transport districts. Seomyeon Station connects Busan Metro Lines 1 and 2, making this branch practical for visitors staying in central Busan.

The official Lotte description identifies it as a complex with a department store, AVENUEL building, cinema and duty-free shopping. Remember that duty-free purchases follow separate procedures from purchases made at ordinary department-store counters.

Gwangbok: useful for Nampo-dong sightseeing

Gwangbok Store is near Nampo-dong and the waterfront attractions of old central Busan. It is a practical addition to a day around Jagalchi Market, BIFF Square or Yongdusan Park. Lotte’s official guide highlights its restaurant area and rooftop park overlooking the surrounding city and water.

What you can buy

Exact brand lists vary by branch and change regularly, but most full department stores follow a recognizable layout.

Cosmetics and beauty

Beauty counters are commonly found on the ground or lower floors. These may include Korean skincare and makeup brands alongside international labels. Department-store counters are useful when you want staff assistance, gift packaging or established retail channels rather than the lowest possible price.

Ask whether a promotion is provided by the brand, the department store or a card company. Some advertised discounts require a Korean credit card, Lotte membership or minimum purchase amount.

Fashion and luxury goods

Larger branches divide fashion by category, such as international luxury, contemporary fashion, menswear, womenswear, sportswear and children’s clothing. AVENUEL sections concentrate on luxury brands.

Korean and international sizing may differ. Try clothing and shoes on when possible, and confirm the exchange policy before paying. Luxury boutiques and limited products may follow stricter return rules.

Food halls and gifts

The basement food hall is one of the most accessible parts of a Korean department store for visitors. Typical sections include prepared meals, bakeries, desserts, fruit, meat, seafood, side dishes and packaged gifts.

Prepared food is often discounted near closing time, but markdown timing and availability are not guaranteed. Seating may be limited because many counters primarily sell takeaway food.

For gifts, check shelf life and storage requirements. Fresh products, refrigerated food and meat may be unsuitable for a long flight or restricted by the destination country’s customs rules.

Restaurants and cafés

Restaurant floors often remain open later than the main retail floors, but individual kitchens can stop accepting orders before the published closing time. Popular restaurants may use a Korean-language digital waiting system. Ask the nearby information desk or restaurant host for help if the kiosk requires a local telephone number.

How to pay

According to Lotte’s official payment guide, cash payments are accepted only in Korean won. The officially listed international card networks are Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay, JCB and American Express. Alipay, WeChat Pay, Apple Pay and LINE Pay Taiwan are also listed as mobile-payment options.

Acceptance can still vary at individual leased counters or temporary pop-ups. Carry a second card and a modest amount of Korean won as backup. Your card issuer may charge a foreign-transaction or currency-conversion fee.

When a terminal offers payment in your home currency, compare the rate before accepting. Paying in KRW usually leaves conversion to your card issuer, while dynamic currency conversion uses the merchant’s displayed rate.

Tourist tax refunds

Eligible short-term visitors can receive a refund of part of the Korean tax included in qualifying purchases. This is not the same as duty-free shopping.

Lotte’s official tax-refund instructions stated the following on June 11, 2026:

• The minimum qualifying purchase is KRW 15,000.
• The traveler must leave Korea within three months of the purchase date.
• A foreign visitor must generally have stayed in Korea for less than six months.
• A passport and the department-store receipt are required.
• Immediate refunds may be processed for purchases under KRW 1,000,000, subject to a maximum of KRW 5,000,000 per visit.

Eligibility depends on the traveler, goods and retailer. Some products or counters may not participate. Tax rules can change, so treat the store’s current instructions and Korean customs requirements as authoritative.

Practical refund procedure

1. Carry your physical passport when shopping. A photograph or photocopy may not work with the passport reader.
2. Before payment, ask whether the counter offers an immediate tax refund.
3. Keep the original receipt and any tax-refund document.
4. Do not pack refund documents in checked luggage until you know whether customs must inspect the goods.
5. Complete any required customs validation before leaving Korea.

For a post-purchase refund, Lotte says travelers may use a tax-refund desk or kiosk. Refund options can include cash, credit card, Alipay or WeChat Pay, but the timing and deposit requirements differ. Ask the branch information desk where your particular brand processes refunds.

Visitor services and accessibility

Lotte’s service and facilities guide confirms free Wi-Fi at all branches. Connect to LOTTE FREE Wi-Fi.

Storage is available at many stores, but it is generally a same-day service and may be automated or charge a fee. Lotte excludes valuables, cash, securities, laptops, tablets, fragile objects and hazardous items. The official guide states that storage is unavailable at the Konkuk University Star City and Incheon branches.

Automated foreign-currency exchange kiosks are listed at selected locations, including Myeongdong Main, Jamsil, Seoul Station Outlet and Dong-Busan Premium Outlet. Rates and supported currencies were not confirmed, so compare the displayed rate with other exchange options before proceeding.

The official guide also lists interpretation assistance, charging services and stroller rentals, but availability differs by branch. For mobility access, use station elevators rather than assuming the closest numbered exit is step-free. At Myeongdong Main, Lotte advises stroller users to take the elevator at Euljiro 1-ga Station Exit 5 and cross to the main entrance.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Going to the wrong Lotte property: Department stores, malls, outlets, marts and duty-free shops use different systems.
• Assuming every promotion is available to foreign cards: Some offers require a Korean-issued card or membership account.
• Leaving your passport at the hotel: This can prevent an immediate tax refund.
• Arriving shortly before closing: Fitting rooms, restaurant orders and refund desks may close earlier than the building.
• Discarding receipts: Keep receipts until you have completed exchanges, refunds and departure procedures.
• Expecting outlet prices: Ordinary department stores generally sell current merchandise at regular retail prices unless a promotion is running.
• Packing restricted food: Check your destination country’s customs and quarantine rules before buying meat, fruit, plants or fresh products.

What to check before you go

• Confirm the exact branch name in English and Korean.
• Check that day’s opening hours and closure notice on the official store page.
• Search the branch directory for the brand you want.
• Bring your passport if you may request a tourist tax refund.
• Carry a backup card and some Korean won.
• Confirm luggage-storage restrictions if traveling with suitcases.
• Check restaurant last-order times separately from retail hours.
• Allow extra navigation time at Jamsil and other multi-building complexes.
• Review airline and destination-country restrictions before buying food or liquids.

FAQ

Is Lotte Department Store expensive?

It covers several price levels, but it is a full-service department store rather than a discount market. Luxury products and international labels can be expensive, while food halls, casual fashion and seasonal sales offer a broader range. Compare the final price after any tax refund rather than assuming it will be cheaper than in your home country.

Do staff speak English?

English assistance is more likely at information desks and tourist-oriented branches such as Myeongdong, Jamsil and Seoul Station Outlet. Language ability varies by counter. Showing a product name, brand page or translated question is often faster than relying on spoken communication.

Can I take a suitcase inside?

Small luggage is generally manageable, but crowded aisles and escalators make large suitcases inconvenient. Use an available storage service after checking its size, fee and prohibited-item rules. Storage is not available at every branch.

Are department stores open every day?

No. Branches may close on designated days and alter their schedules around major Korean holidays. Verify the live branch calendar immediately before visiting.

Where should a first-time visitor start?

Use the Myeongdong Main Store for a convenient introduction in central Seoul. Choose Jamsil instead when you want a larger complex with extensive dining and nearby attractions. Open the official store directory, confirm today’s schedule, and save the branch’s Korean name before leaving your accommodation.

Sources

• Lotte Department Store official English website and store directory
• Lotte Department Store official tax-refund guide
• Lotte Department Store official payment-method guide
• Lotte Department Store official visitor services guide
• Lotte Department Store Main Store information, hours and access