Convenience Stores Diversify Ready Meals with Grilled Eel and More
E-commerce Increases Discounts on Chicken and Jeonbok
The distribution industry has started discount sales of health foods such as Samgyetang, abalone, and eel ahead of the first hot day of summer (Chobok) on the 15th of this month. As the rise in dining-out prices continues this year, with the average price of Samgyetang nationwide exceeding 16,000 won, there is a trend of offering convenient meals at affordable prices or expanding discount rates.
According to the distribution industry on the 9th, Lotte Department Store will hold a collaborative pop-up store with 'Jin Jeonbok Samgyetang,' a famous Samgyetang restaurant in Nonhyeon-dong, and 'Wando Boy,' an abalone distributor, at its main store food hall from the 12th to the 25th. They will sell only representative health foods for Chobok such as 'Maesaengi Samgyetang,' 'Abalone Porridge,' and 'Abalone Dakgangjeong,' and especially, customers who purchase three or more Samgyetang HMR products will receive a gift of 'cleaned abalone (5 pieces).'
A consumer is purchasing retort Samgyetang at the convenience food section of Lotte Mart Zeta Plex Seoul Station branch. [Photo by Lotte Mart·Super]
During this period, Lotte Department Store will offer popular Chobok products such as beef, chicken, abalone, and watermelon at special prices. For livestock products, beef cuts including steamed ribs, bulgogi, soup cuts, brisket, and shank will be discounted up to 40%, and young chickens and native chickens for Samgyetang will also be offered at special prices. In cooperation with fishermen in Wando-gun, Jeollanam-do, extra-large live abalones weighing 1 kg (8 pieces) will be sold at around 30,000 won at 13 metropolitan area branches and regional stores (Gwangju and Jeonju).
Lotte Mart and Lotte Super have prepared retort pouch (sealed processed food) Samgyetang products jointly purchased for Chobok. There are three types: 'Hanwoo Beef Bone Samgyetang' made with Korean beef bone broth, 'Chicken Leg Samgyetang' with large chicken legs, and 'Solo Samgyetang' for one person. Also, the planned product 'Two Chickens Bokdak' (1.1 kg), consisting of two domestic fresh chickens, which was popular last year, has increased its supply by 20% compared to the previous year. From the 13th to the 15th, payment with event cards will get a 40% discount.
Shinsegae Department Store will showcase eel and abalone through a 'Health Food Special Price Event' until the 15th. According to the department store, seasonal sea eels caught off the coast of Yeosu and Goheung, freshwater eels raised healthily for one year in clean water fish farms, and abalone from Wando, Jeollanam-do, will be available at special prices. Representative products include sea eel (500g), freshwater eel, and abalone (3 pieces).
A consumer is looking at eel ready-to-eat meals on the shelves of a CU convenience store. [Photo by BGF Retail]
The convenience store industry is offering a variety of convenient meals. CU, operated by BGF Retail, has launched two convenient meals topped with whole freshwater eel ahead of Chobok. The 'Whole Freshwater Eel Set Meal,' released the day before, is a product that places a whole freshwater eel coated with teriyaki sauce on rice topped with egg garnish, sold at around 9,000 won. The 'Whole Freshwater Eel Grill,' launching on the 11th, includes two freshwater eels served with pickled radish and ginger pickles, priced in the 10,000 won range.
Seven Eleven is selling 12 types of health food convenient meals such as Samgyetang and grilled eel at special prices. In particular, Samgyetang products are offered with a 10% discount or a buy-one-get-one-free (1+1) benefit until the 15th. GS25, operated by GS Retail, has also launched new health food convenient meals such as electric grilled whole chicken, whole freshwater eel rice bowl, Yours Harim Mala Samgyetang, whole chicken leg chicken noodle soup, and Jang Minho’s Eel Loach Soup, and is running a 1+1 event in line with Chobok demand.
Oasis Market will hold the 'Sambok Guide' special exhibition until the 14th of next month. [Photo by Oasis Market]
The e-commerce platform Oasis Market is holding a 'Sambok Guide' special exhibition, offering health foods at discounts of up to 45%. Key products include ▲two natural antibiotic-free whole chickens (size 6 x 2 pieces) ▲eco-friendly live abalones from Wando (medium, 8-10 pieces) and instant herbal Samgyetang suitable as gifts ▲and 'Rich Herbal Samgyetang (900g, antibiotic-free)'.
SSG.com is also holding a 'Food SSG Sale - All About Chicken' event until the 11th ahead of Chobok. During the event, SSG.com will offer up to 50% discounts on over 4,000 popular summer food items centered on chicken. Products related to chicken such as Samgyetang, marinated chicken, and fried chicken, as well as king-size abalones and large abalones will be sold at half price in limited quantities. Haesintang (seafood hot pot) containing chicken, octopus, small octopus, shrimp, and other seafood will be discounted by 30-40%.
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