GS25 Emerges as a 'K-Pop Pilgrimage Site'... Half of Album Buyers Are Foreigners

Foreign Sales Account for 54%
Average Album Purchases per Person Reach 47

Recently, K-pop albums sold at convenience stores have been gaining popularity, especially among foreign customers.

GS25, a convenience store operated by GS Retail, announced on the 23rd that an analysis of pre-order sales data for K-pop albums conducted through the 'Our Neighborhood GS' app revealed that foreign customers accounted for 54% of the sales.

Foreign customers lining up at GS25 to purchase K-pop idol albums.
[Photo by GS Retail]

In particular, the average number of albums purchased per foreign customer reached 47, which is 2.6 times higher than that of domestic customers. GS25 analyzed that this trend is due to customers buying multiple albums at once to obtain random goods such as photocards and stickers included in the K-pop albums, as well as foreign tourists purchasing albums in bulk to gift to acquaintances overseas.

In response to the demand from foreign customers, GS25 is strengthening K-pop album sales at stores near Incheon Airport and major tourist attractions. The aim is to enhance accessibility so that foreign tourists can purchase K-pop albums as soon as they arrive at the airport, providing greater convenience.

Since last year, starting with Enhypen, GS25 has conducted K-pop idol and artist album sales eight times to date. GS25 plans to strengthen cooperation with entertainment companies with the goal of selling K-pop albums at least once a month next year.

Choi Dae-eun, a merchandise planner (MD) of the GS Retail Service Product Team, said, "GS25 is evolving into a consumption space where overseas K-pop fans can experience new cultures," adding, "We will continue to expand differentiated services to provide special experiences to domestic and international customers by collaborating with various cultural contents, including K-pop."

Meanwhile, from the 20th of this month until the 4th of next month, GS25 will sell singer Hwasa's mini 2nd album 'O'. It will be available at six stores with a high proportion of foreign customers: Incheon Airport T1 West Side Store, Incheon Airport T2 Departure Store, New Annyeong Insadong Store, Yonsei University 2 Store, Konkuk University Store, and DXLAB Store. At Yonsei University 2 Store, Konkuk University Store, and DXLAB Store, customers will receive event lottery tickets upon purchasing the album, and those who scratch off the lottery ticket and find 'Keyring' will be given a limited edition mini CD keyring.