"Popular On-the-Rock Ice at Convenience Stores" ... Following Coffee and Carbonated Drinks, 'Alcoholic Beverages'

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] The formula 'convenience store ice cup = coffee' is breaking down. It has been found that many consumers purchase ice cups not only with coffee but also with carbonated drinks and alcoholic beverages.

On the 13th, convenience store GS25 analyzed ice cup sales data from March to April this year, and found that regular ice cups with a capacity of 185g accounted for 66.1% of sales paired with coffee.

On the other hand, larger ice cups with a capacity of 240g were most frequently sold with carbonated drinks and ade, accounting for 42.3%. These ice cups were notably purchased together with large-capacity drinks of 500ml or more, with the most frequently associated product being Coca-Cola 500ml.

In the case of the 'Big Ball Ice Cup,' which contains a single old-fashioned ice ball with a diameter of 70mm in a transparent cup, most sales were paired with alcoholic beverages such as whiskey (25.5%), beer (11.5%), and soju (5.7%). Old-fashioned ice balls are mainly used in hotels or upscale bars to enjoy whiskey and highballs, and at GS25, the product most frequently sold with this ice cup was the whiskey 'Jack Daniel's (500ml).'

GS25 predicted that the home drinking trend would strengthen after COVID-19 and introduced the Big Ball Ice Cup, which applies the old-fashioned ice ball, to convenience stores for the first time in May last year. Considering the high sales alongside alcoholic beverages, it is analyzed that as the home drinking culture enters a professional stage, more consumers are purchasing premium alcoholic beverages and ice cups at convenience stores to enjoy 'on the rocks' (a culture of diluting alcohol with ice and enjoying it chilled) or to make cocktails at home.

With the early heatwave starting last month, GS25's ice cup sales increased by 81.5% compared to the same period last year.

Jung Gu-min, MD in charge of ice cups at GS Retail, said, "Due to the diversification of ice cup usage and the impact of early heat, record-breaking ice cup sales are expected this year," adding, "We have secured a supply of 10 million ice cups and established a supply chain capable of delivering 2.6 million ice cups daily to prepare for the surge in demand."