CU Gomppyo Wheat Beer·Malppyo Dark Beer
GS25, Miwon Salted Popcorn Popular
Chicken Breast Real Bar·Minsaeng Banana, etc.
Health and Cost-effective Products Also in High Demand
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Hye-seon] Despite the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, products infused with retro sensibility that add nostalgia and fun have emerged as the biggest hit items in convenience stores.
Unique Combinations, Riding the 'Retro' Wave
According to convenience store CU on the 24th, GomPyo wheat beer using the Daehan Flour Milling brand 'GomPyo' and MalPyo dark beer using the MalPyo shoe polish brand have become the most popular items. Although quite some time has passed since their release, supply still cannot meet demand. GomPyo wheat beer sold 1.5 million units in about five months since its launch. The initial production volume of 100,000 units sold out within three days of release, and despite supply chain challenges, 300,000 units were sold within a week. MalPyo dark beer, released last month, sold 250,000 units in just three days and has sold 1 million units to date. This is more than four times higher sales compared to other new beer products.
A CU official explained, "GomPyo beer is produced at a small brewery with a maximum monthly production capacity of 200,000 units, so the current supply cannot keep up with demand," adding, "The manufacturer is currently preparing to expand production, so it will be easier to purchase the product in January than before."
Daesang's 'Miwon Salt' popcorn (GS25), which preserves the unique font and design of Miwon Salt, sold about 300,000 units within a month of release. It ranks around 4th in total snack sales, just after Saewookkang. 'Miwon Salt Popcorn' is a product that retains the unique font and design of Daesang's 'Miwon Salt.' It attracted customers by providing nostalgia and fun while delivering the optimal flavor that best brings out the taste of popcorn.
Cost-effective Products Targeting 'Homeconomy' Gain Popularity
Convenience store Seven Eleven, in collaboration with domestic chicken specialist 'Harim,' launched the diet convenience food 'Chicken Breast Real Bar,' which has sold 1 million units 190 days after its release. As new lifestyle trends such as home training (home + training) have formed, interest in health and dieting has increased, leading to a rise in consumer demand for convenient healthy foods at convenience stores. 'Chicken Breast Real Bar' is currently the top-selling refrigerated sausage product. Sales of refrigerated sausages also increased by 12.3% compared to the previous year.
Emart24's MinSaeng 2+3 Banana sold 1.3 million units. Priced around 300 won per piece, it offers high cost-effectiveness. Bananas are purchased year-round, and the increase in customers seeking large quantities for dieting and body management contributed to this result. I'me HaRu 1 Liter 2L and Ice Stream Icheon Rice Cone also sold 20 million and 2 million units respectively. Among dessert products, CU's 'Chewy Macaron' recorded sales of about 6 million units this year. With the activation of delivery services due to COVID-19, it even ranked first in delivery service sales. The CU macaron manufacturing video introduced on YouTube also recorded 1 million views.
Wine is also a convenience store favorite. GS25's four wine stars (Nature Sound·Australian Shiraz, Number Two·Romance, Number Nine·Kroicher, Number Three·Eroica) sold more than 400,000 units from January to October. As wine becomes more popular, cost-effective wines at convenience stores are gaining popularity.
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