New Olive Young stores are associated with higher sales at nearby traditional markets and food-service businesses, a study led by Hanbat National University professor Lee Sung-ho found. Traditional markets within 1 kilometer of new branches recorded sales increases of 7.9% to 18.3%. Restaurant sales rose 8.8% to 18.3%, while bakeries, coffee shops and fast-food outlets posted gains of 8.3% to 17.3%. Researchers described Olive Young as an anchor retailer that attracts shoppers who may also spend at nearby businesses. Spending by foreign shoppers around the retailer’s Gwangjang Market branch reached 6 billion won ($5.6 million) from May through August, up from 5.3 billion won in January through April, while transactions increased to 57,677 from 38,824, according to Global Tax Free. The figures exclude some cash purchases and transactions at stores without Global Tax Free terminals. Olive Young is also expanding outside the Seoul metropolitan area, including in Busan, and plans to invest 123.8 billion won in 2026 in shopping infrastructure outside the capital region.