Gold, Golf Clubs, Massage Chairs... Convenience Stores Become Popular Places to Buy Expensive Gifts

GS25, 195 Products Sold for Family Month
Golf Equipment Sales Increase by 43.6%

On the 3rd, a model at the convenience store GS25 is introducing the 'Carnation Gold Bar' and the 'Lab-Grown Diamond Necklace'.

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] Convenience stores are emerging as popular places to purchase high-end gifts for Family Month. In the past, jewelry, luxury bags, golf clubs, and home appliances could only be bought at department stores, but now these items can be purchased at the closest retail channels to home.

According to GS25 on the 3rd, sales of golf and camping products introduced for Family Month increased by 43.6% and 23.7%, respectively, from April 25 to May 1 compared to the previous year. During the same period, CU saw a 40% increase in Family Month gift sales, and Seven Eleven experienced a 50% rise. At Emart24, sales of Family Month products doubled from April 29 to May 1 compared to last year.

GS25 launched 195 catalog products for Family Month. Notably, they are selling lab-grown diamond necklaces, known as ethical diamonds. These diamonds are not mined from mines, so they cause no environmental pollution and represent ethical consumption, gaining popularity recently among the MZ generation (Millennials + Generation Z). They also offer a variety of products at different price points, such as carnation gold bars, pure gold bracelets, and necklaces. Additionally, luxury handbags, wallets, golf equipment, camping gear, and massage chairs are available for purchase.

CU offers 30 types of gifts for Children’s Day and Parents’ Day, including massage chairs, coffee machines, red ginseng, probiotics, and nutritional supplements. Refurbished Cosyma massage chairs are available at a 66% discount from the regular price, and Cosy chairs are sold at special prices. Seven Eleven provides over 50 products such as liquor, wine, carnations, health supplements, toys, and electronic devices at a 20% discount when purchased with promotional cards. Furthermore, seven stores in Seoul, including Lotte World KidZania, will be operated with an animated Peppa Pig theme until the end of next month. These stores offer a 10% discount on 17 representative Peppa Pig toys.

Emart24 prepared 47 types of Family Month gifts. They sell five types of gold products, including pure gold bars and pure gold carnation packages. Massage chairs, foot massagers, air purifiers, fruit gift sets, and Korean beef gift sets are also available. A convenience store industry official said, “We have carefully selected the best products for Family Month this year,” adding, “We plan to continue introducing various gift products in the future.”