Crowd of Home Viewers and Supporters Create 'Bustle' at Marts and Convenience Stores
Emart's Chicken Sales Double During Ghana Match
Convenience Stores Near Gwanghwamun See Sharp Increase in Sales
On the 28th of last month, customers were lining up to purchase chicken at Lotte Mart Eunpyeong branch in Seoul. (Photo by Lotte Mart).
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chunhan] Office worker Lee plans to stop by a large supermarket on the way home from work tomorrow to buy food. This is because the delivery food during the Ghana match arrived much later than expected. Lee said, “I anticipated many chicken orders, but the delivery delay was severe,” adding, “This time, I plan to prepare in advance to enjoy watching the soccer game happily.”
The distribution industry is enjoying a World Cup boom. Large supermarkets are seeing steady foot traffic from home viewers watching the World Cup matches, while convenience stores are busy with consumers participating in street cheering. Each company is promoting ultra-low-priced food and beer discounts, expecting sales increases for the Portugal match.
According to Emart on the 1st, chicken sales on the day of the Uruguay match increased by 92.5% compared to the previous month, ready-to-eat foods (deli) by 18.4%, and beer by 87.8%. During the Ghana match, chicken sales rose by 105.9%, fried chicken varieties by 105.8%, and barbecue items by 30%. In some stores, all chicken prepared for the day was sold out around 6 to 7 p.m. Until the 7th, Saengsaeng Chicken and Roast Chicken are sold at 6,980 won each with a 3,000 won discount when accumulating Shinsegae points, and an additional 2,000 won discount applies when purchasing Budweiser and Cass Fresh together.
At Lotte Mart, chicken sales jumped 270% and 300% during the first and second matches, respectively. Deli (70% and 80%) and beer (130% and 120%) also recorded high sales growth rates. This time, whole boneless chicken leg meat is sold at a 4,000 won discount from the regular price. Cask-aged craft beer Innis & Gunn (3 bottles), Kozel Dark exclusive glass package (4 pieces), and Pilsner Urquell exclusive glass package (4 pieces) are offered at a discounted price of 9,900 won. At Homeplus, Dangdang Triple Garlic, Fried, Sweet Seasoned, and Spicy Shrimp chicken are sold with a 1,000 won discount for My Homeplus membership holders, and about 20 types of beer can be purchased at 7,900 won for 4 cans.
On the 24th of last month, customers were purchasing products at the CU convenience store near Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul. (Photo by BGF Retail)
Chicken and beer sales also rose significantly at convenience stores. At CU, chicken sales increased by 57.3% and 53% on the 24th and 28th of last month compared to the previous month. GS25 saw increases of 100.9% and 110.5%, Seven Eleven 160% and 80%, and Emart24 160% and 129%. For beer, CU recorded sales growth of 184.7% and 208.3%, GS25 107.6% and 90.3%, Seven Eleven 220% and 150%, and Emart24 134% and 131%.
Convenience stores near the sites of street cheering were bustling. At about 10 GS25 stores near Gwanghwamun, sales surged during the Uruguay match for portable batteries (449.7%), portable tissues (171.4%), beer (125.8%), side dishes (93.9%), snacks (78.5%), and heat packs (68.1%). During the Ghana match, due to weather conditions, umbrella and raincoat sales sharply increased by 7,836.7%. Following that, cup coffee and tea (155.9%), beer (111.1%), side dishes (110.9%), and snacks (78.6%) sold well.
An industry official said, “On days when our national team plays, more than twice the usual number of customers visit stores,” adding, “We have prepared various bold events to support the soccer team.”
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