Seoul, Oct. 21 -- South Korean retailers are skipping Halloween marketing this year in the wake of the Itaewon crowd crush in 2022, and instead focusing on Pepero Day in November and other year-end promotions, reported the Pulse, the English service of Maeil Business Newspaper Korea.

According to industry sources on Monday, large discount stores and convenience stores are not running special Halloween promotions this year. They are instead focusing on other preparations.

To celebrate Pepero Day on November 11, Lotte Wellfood Co. is launching a large-scale campaign titled, "Find Pepero hidden by Stray Kids" in downtown Seoul and along Subway Line 2.

Stray Kids, a popular idol group among young audiences, are featured in this interactive...