Ice Coffee Sales Share 'Soars'
Increase in Outdoor Activities Without Masks
Early Launch and Discount Events for Summer Products
As spring temperatures rose above average this year, more people have been seeking cold drinks and ice cream at convenience stores. Companies have effectively entered the summer sales season with quick responses such as discount promotions when launching iced beverages.
According to GS25 on the 7th, the sales proportion of instant brewed coffee iced drinks increased from 41.4% in April last year to 44.2% this month. During the same period, Seven Eleven saw an increase from 35% to 45%. Emart24 also jumped from 37% to 44%.
Sales of representative summer products such as ice cups, pouch drinks, and ice cream also surged. At CU, from the 29th of last month to the 4th of this month, ice cup sales increased by 81.2% compared to the previous year, pouch drinks by 72.7%, and ice cream by 54.3%. During the same period, GS25 recorded high sales growth rates of 110.2% for ice cups, 98% for pouch drinks, and 48.2% for ice cream. Seven Eleven and Emart24 also saw ice cup sales rise by 150% and 102%, respectively.
With the advent of the no-mask era, growth rates stood out in parks, tourist spots, and other locations. CU's ice cup sales growth rates were 217.4% at rest areas, 101.3% in university districts, and 84.1% in office areas. Pouch drinks recorded 188.5% at rest areas, 105% in office areas, and 102.7% in university districts, while ice cream showed 195.9% at rest areas, 98.7% in office areas, and 85.1% in university districts. Emart24's summer product sales growth rates were 169% in parks and tourist spots, 142% in academy districts, and 81% in office areas.
Convenience stores targeted consumers with summer product launches and discount events. CU launched the pouch drink Delafe in February and is offering a 50% discount when paying with BC Paybook for two or more of about 30 Haagen-Dazs ice cream varieties this month. GS25 prepared an expansion of large-capacity pouch drink products and promotions such as buy-one-get-one-free or buy-two-get-one-free on ice cream, and a 50% discount when purchasing five items. Seven Eleven released its private brand (PB) Seven Select's new pouch drinks 10 days earlier than last year. Emart24 is running a discount event where customers can purchase the I'm e Americano big size for 900 won.
An industry insider from the convenience store sector said, "Due to higher temperatures than usual, customers seeking ice, cold drinks, and ice cream are increasing," adding, "With the full-scale increase in outings and outdoor activities, summer product sales are expected to rise even more sharply."
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