Combined sales at department stores Lotte, Shinsegae and Hyundai jumped 11% last month, a turnaround from a 0.5% on-year decline in November, according to the Ministry of Knowledge Economy.
Sporting goods sales leapt 24.5% with sales of women's casualwear and menswear growing 15.49% and 11%, respectively.
Luxury goods sales also expanded 10.5%, maintaining its run of double-digit growth.
Meanwhile total sales at discount chains E-Mart, Lotte Mart and Homeplus expanded 3.7% in December compared to a 0.5% dip in November.
Sales of clothes and sports goods grew 5.5% and 7%, respectively, as consumers bought winter clothes and winter sports-related goods amid low temperatures.
Sales of daily household goods and miscellaneous products advanced 5.8% and 0.5%, respectively, over the period, but sales of home appliances shrank 2.4% last month.
The number of purchases gained 4.3% for department stores and 2.9% for discounters. Additionally, price per purchase rose 6.4% and 0.7%, respectively, at KRW92,156 ($80.60) and KRW43,422, respectively.
