Spending during May’s family month was led by people in their 40s. Outlays related to children and parents rose at the same time, lifting spending by people in their 40s in family-related sectors such as amusement parks, cinemas and department stores.

Viva Republica, which operates Toss, said on Monday that it compared card payment data from May 1 to 18 with the same period the previous month and found a sharp rise in consumption linked to family leisure activities.

The number of transactions in activity sectors such as amusement parks, water parks and aquariums rose 33 percent from the same period a month earlier. During the peak week from May 1 to 11, which included Children’s Day, the increase widened to 68 percent.

By age group, people in their 40s posted the largest rise in spending. Their transaction count rose 7.3 percent from the same period a month earlier and the amount spent increased by more than 9 percent, the highest growth rates among all age groups.

In particular, people in their 40s recorded strong growth both in activity sectors, where Children’s Day-related spending was concentrated, and in department stores, reflecting demand for Parents’ Day gifts.

By sector, the transaction count for people in their 40s at amusement parks rose by about 69 percent. Spending growth at cinemas was also 51 percent, the highest among all age groups. In department stores, per-capita spending by people in their 40s was about 400,000 won, the largest.

A Toss official said, "Family spending was concentrated due to the impact of Children’s Day and Parents’ Day." The official added, "For people in their 40s, the characteristics of a dual-spending group strongly emerged as they simultaneously take responsibility for spending on children and the parent generation."