From Mobile Homes to Electric Cars... Convenience Stores Become Outlets for Ultra-Luxury Gifts

CU, Mobile Homes and Luxury Plants for Sale
GS25, Wine Priced at 25.69 Million KRW Released
7-Eleven, Over 20 Types of Luxury Bags and Wallets
Emart24, Electric Truck Around 10 Million KRW

Mobile homes sold at CU.

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] Convenience stores are emerging as outlets for ultra-high-end gift sales. Unlike in the past, when they only sold simple daily necessities and food, the boundaries of product categories and prices now seem to be breaking down.

On the 10th, CU introduced portable houses priced between 15.6 million KRW and 22.65 million KRW as unique Chuseok gifts this year. The lineup consists of three types of duplex houses including a living room, kitchen, bathroom, and attic, and one type of single-story house. Luxury plants are also sold in limited quantities. Seven varieties are prepared, including Monstera Albo (2.9 million KRW), which has uniquely patterned leaves and high rarity value, Patterned Adansonii (1.15 million KRW), and Olive trees (759,000 KRW). You can also purchase LG Electronics’ plant cultivation home appliances, the Tiun Objet Collection (1.39 million KRW) and Tiun Mini (189,000 KRW).

GS25 sells wine as its highest-priced product. There are four types, including Dom P?rignon P3 1971 (25.69 million KRW) and Dom P?rignon P3 1973 (25.69 million KRW), all from the P3 (Plenitude, the longest-aged P3 over 20 years) line aged over 20 years. They also launched two vintage collections: the 2006 Vintage Collection (25.5 million KRW) and the 2007 Vintage Collection (24.5 million KRW), consisting of nine wines including five that received perfect 100-point scores from famous wine critic Robert Parker.

Seven Eleven also prepared premium gift sets. They sell about 20 luxury brand bags and wallets from Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Prada, and others. Additionally, they offer premium meat such as antibiotic-free Korean beef luxury sets (400,000 KRW) and antibiotic-free Korean beef sincerity sets (200,000 KRW), as well as premium wines like Ch?teau Lafite Rothschild 17 Vintage (1.7 million KRW) and single malt whiskies.

Electric vehicles sold at Emart24.

Emart24 partnered with electric vehicle specialist DPICO to sell two types of Portro ultra-compact electric trucks and three types of Masada electric vehicles. The Portro ultra-compact electric trucks are small logistics trucks specialized for alleyway delivery and shipping. The products on sale are the Portro Top and Portro Pickup, priced around 10 million KRW depending on local government subsidies. With all subsidies applied, including benefits for individual business owners, they can be purchased for the 9 million KRW range. Masada electric vehicles include 2-seater and 4-seater electric vans and electric pickup trucks, priced between 37 million KRW and 38 million KRW. Depending on local government subsidies, they can be purchased for 14 million to 17 million KRW. Electric bikes, electric bicycles, and electric kickboards are also introduced. Electric bikes include models such as E1 S Plus, E2 Plus, and E2 Plus Cargo from Ecooter Korea, and the R1 Lite from Blue Shark Korea. Prices range from 3.5 million KRW to 4.7 million KRW, and with government subsidies, they can be purchased for 1.7 million KRW to 2.8 million KRW. Motobello’s TX8 Pro2 electric bicycle (1.248 million KRW) and B10 Plus electric kickboard (648,000 KRW) are also sold.

A convenience store industry official said, “This Chuseok, we prepared unique products in addition to traditional gift sets such as agricultural, livestock, and marine products,” adding, “We plan to continue preparing differentiated and diverse gift sets that can appeal to customers.”