Soon-to-be-married busy buying for wedding to avoid `leap month`

As increasing number of marriage expecting couples start preparation for wedding to avoid approaching leap month (Oct. 24 - Nov. 21), retailers are providing more discounts for wedding items. This leap month, which comes back in two years and five months after the last leap month in 2012 (Apr. 21 ~ May 20), overlaps some of the peak season for wedding. Accordingly, forecasts have been made that marriages at the end of September and the beginning of October would sharply increase compared to the normal year.

Major retailers are providing discounts for furniture, home appliances, watches and suits that soon-to-be-married couples are looking for. Also, events to give gift certificates are being held for marriage expecting couples. Lotte Department Store starts "Mega Sale, Shopping of Dream for Wedding" across all branches between Oct. 1 and Oct. 19. Couch maker Downing provides discounts up to 40 percent for displayed couches. Ace Bed provides a dining certificate worth 50,000 won (approximately 48 U.S. dollars) and a Lotte mobile gift certificate worth 50,000 won when a member of its wedding mileage program "Wedding Members" buys at the Ace Bed store with a wedding invitation.

Until Oct. 26, Lotte Wedding Members will hold a lottery event for newly joined members. The first prize is a wedding package set of furniture and home appliances worth 19 million won (18,300 dollars). Hyundai Department Store located in the world trade center holds a "Livart Family Sale" event, which provides maximum 80% discounts of Livart furniture until Sept. 28. At its Mok-dong store, "Autumn Wedding Furniture Sale" is held with furniture brands including Natuzzi and Design Ventures from Friday to Sunday next week. Shinsegae Department holds an event for its wedding mileage members. For "S Wedding Club" member who buy home appliances, furniture, or kitchen appliances worth more than 3 million won (2,890 dollars), the department store provides Shinsegae gift certificate worth 10 percent of the payment according to the price ranges.

Lotte Hi Mart is selling special packages for wedding and moving until next Sunday. The packages consist of six items of TV, refrigerator, microwave, pressure cooker and vacuum cleaner. According to the price ranges, the iron, microwave, vacuum cleaner or set of ceramic plates are provided as free gifts for customers of the package.