'Flying off the shelves Gold Bar'.. Convenience Store Chuseok Limited Edition 250 Units Sold Out in Less Than 10 Days

GS25 sells 'Pure Gold Bar' for 3.92 million won
CU, Seven Eleven, and Emart24 also show progress
"Influence of proximity distribution and unique gift trends"

GS25's limited edition 'Pure Gold Bar' gift sets, produced in limited quantities for this Chuseok, have sold out with over 250 sets, and additional stock is awaited. In addition, high-priced and unique Chuseok gifts released by major convenience store chains (CU, GS25, 7-Eleven, Emart24) are gaining popularity, such as the 30-year-old Ballantine's whiskey being sold for 1.3 million KRW.

GS25's Released '1 Trillion Won Gold Check'
[Photo by GS Retail]

According to GS Retail on the 9th, all of the over 250 Pure Gold Bars released as Chuseok gift sets by GS25 on the 29th of last month have been sold out, and restocking is expected next week. The Pure Gold Bars were launched by GS25 considering the trend of unique gifts and the 'gold investment' craze, and come in 13 types ranging from 1g to 37.5g. Among them, the 37.5g bar is the most expensive product (3.92 million KRW) and is notable for being made as a '1 trillion won gold certificate,' symbolizing wealth and luck.

In addition, convenience stores are selling high-priced products in the 1 million KRW range. The 30-year-old Ballantine's released by CU was recently sold for 1.3 million KRW, and 7-Eleven's two types of Pure Gold Bars (1 don and 10 don) have sold about 80 units since their launch. Travel package products released by CU, GS25, and 7-Eleven, as well as Samsung electronics products released by CU, are also popular.

Experts analyze that the recent preference among young consumers for nearby distribution channels and the craze for unique gifts have synergized with these unique convenience store gifts. In the past, many people moved to department stores or large supermarkets to buy holiday gifts, but recently, there has been an increasing tendency to purchase gifts at closer and more convenient convenience stores. Additionally, consumer trends seeking memorable and distinctive gifts rather than ordinary ones have also influenced this.

Professor Eunhee Lee of Inha University's Department of Consumer Studies said, "The main reason for purchasing holiday gifts at convenience stores rather than department stores or large supermarkets is that convenience stores serve as nearby distribution channels, allowing faster and easier access to products." She added, "Moreover, the convenience store industry is releasing various unique gifts while offering multiple discount benefits, so it seems that many young consumers deliberately visit convenience stores to buy fun gifts at affordable prices."