Large Supermarkets Begin Full Sales from the 20th
Gift Allowance Raised to 200,000 Won
Significant Expansion of Premium Hanwoo and Seafood
Unique Fruits and Fine Wines Also Available
[Asia Economy Reporter Yuri Kim] As the Lunar New Year holiday approaches, large supermarkets have begun the main sales of Lunar New Year gift sets. With the popularity of premium and unique gift sets confirmed during the pre-order period, they are focusing on capturing gift demand with these products.
According to the distribution industry on the 19th, Emart will conduct the main sales of the '2022 Lunar New Year Gift Sets' from the 20th to the 1st of next month. Emart plans to promote 'premium gift sets,' which proved popular during the pre-order period, as the main products for the main sales. During the pre-order period from December 16 last year to the 17th, sales of gift sets priced over 100,000 KRW increased by 30% compared to the same period last year. This figure far exceeds the overall gift set sales growth rate of 7%. Accordingly, Emart increased the quantity of refrigerated Korean beef sets by 10%, focusing on premium sets priced between 100,000 and 200,000 KRW. For seafood gift sets, they secured 20% more of the family meal representative 'Jeju Series' three types.
Lotte Mart and Homeplus also started their main sales from the 20th, significantly expanding the quantity of premium gift sets and gift sets priced between 100,000 and 200,000 KRW. Lotte Mart increased the proportion of these products as sales of Lotte Mart Korean beef gift sets, considered premium products during the pre-order period, rose by 33.3% year-on-year, and sales of gift sets priced between 100,000 and 200,000 KRW increased by 51.5%. Homeplus also expanded the quantity of gift sets priced between 100,000 and 200,000 KRW to more than double compared to last year's main sales. This preparation is explained as a response to the non-face-to-face gift trend due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic and the increase of the gift allowance for agricultural, livestock, and seafood products to 200,000 KRW during the main sales period.
Not only premium gift sets but also unique gift sets have been significantly expanded. Emart increased the composition of unique fruit gift sets such as Shine Muscat and Apple Mango and offered price discounts. Trendy products like Shine Muscat mixed sets are discounted up to 30% when paid with event cards. The French M?doc first-growth collection 'The Five Great Ch?teaux,' known as a bucket list for wine enthusiasts, is sold starting from 990,000 KRW, limited to 12 bottles each of the five types.
Lotte Mart also reinforced various liquor products during the main sales period, considering that liquor gift set sales increased by about 103% during the pre-order period. Catering to consumers seeking premium seasonings such as truffle oil and olive oil, 26 new imported sauce items are also introduced as Lunar New Year gift sets. Representative products include Umbria's 'Truffle Oil & Balsamic Set,' an Italian truffle specialty brand.
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