Lotte opens sprawling anime, gaming hub at Busan department store

Lotte Department Store is set to open a sprawling retail space in Busan that brings anime, gaming, character merchandise and collectible figures together in one place. The department store’s Busan Main location will open Fandom Space on Friday on its basement first floor, spanning 1,785 square meters and carrying the slogan “Where Fandoms Come Alive.” The new zone brings together merchandise and experiences that have traditionally been scattered across specialty stores, aiming to give fans a place to shop, connect and celebrate their interests. The decision to launch the first location in Busan rather than Seoul reflects the growing appeal of the Seomyeon shopping district among younger consumers, particularly those in their 20s and 30s, according to the company. Sales to customers in those age groups at the Busan branch rose about 15 percent from January through September compared with the same period last year, the retailer said. The location also stands to benefit from Busan’s expanding international tourism market, with the city attracting 3.43 million foreign visitors through