But the scandal and the poorer-than-expected sales during the winter season sapped such speculation, they said.

The combined sales of local department stores are estimated to have reached 29.91 trillion won in 2016, failing to breach the landmark of 30 trillion won after sales of over 20 trillion won in 2009, according to retail industry data. 

The big three players -- Lotte, Hyundai and Shinsegae -- account for 80 percent of the market share, while Galleria, AK Plaza and other smaller brands hold the remaining share. 

The market value has remained at some 29 trillion won for the past five years amid weak domestic consumption and the rise of e-commerce marketplaces, but it was widely predicted to have expanded last year after leading players stepped up investments in stores.

Shinsegae Department Store renovated its flagship store in the affluent Gangnam district last year, while opening new outlets in Hanam, south of Seoul, and Gimhae on the southeastern coast.

Starfield Hanam is the nation's largest shopping theme park that offers a wide variety of options for shopping, leisure and culinary experiences. 

Hyundai Department Store said it posted strong sales since opening a mega store in Pangyo, south of Seoul, in August 2015.

For the year, the local department stores are unlikely to see their sales exceed 30 trillion won as well given an ongoing diplomatic spat between Seoul and China over the former's deployment of a U.S. missile defense scheme.

Last year, South Korea decided to host a THAAD battery to boost its defense against North Korea.

But China has taken a number of economic retaliatory measures, including restrictions on South Korean imports and a ban on Chinese tourists from visiting the neighboring nation, as Seoul refused to give in to Chinese pressure to scrap the decision. (Yonhap)