Four Major Convenience Store Chains Launch Winter Snacks Like Hobbang and Bungeoppang
Early Release of Cold-Weather Items Including Hot Packs
Sales of Winter Products Surge as Seasonal Transition Begins
As the late summer heat finally ends and the full-fledged autumn season begins, the convenience store industry has started preparing early for winter. Due to the sudden cold weather, sales of winter snacks such as Bungeoppang and roasted sweet potatoes, as well as winter warming products like hand warmers, have begun in earnest.
According to the distribution industry on the 3rd, the four major convenience store chains in Korea have been consecutively launching winter season products such as winter snacks and warming supplies since the end of last month.
Winter snacks such as Bungeoppang, Hoppang, and Goraesa Fish Cake sold at 7-Eleven. [Photo by 7-Eleven]
CU has started selling representative winter snacks such as Bungeoppang, roasted sweet potatoes, and hotteok. At the same time, they introduced six types of restaurant meal kits (RM) in collaboration with 'Junganghaejang,' a hangover soup specialty restaurant near Samseong Station, as well as new winter food products like the chewy seed hotteok. For some winter products, they are also running 2+1 giveaways and discount events throughout October.
GS25 began selling winter snacks such as steamed buns (Hoppang) and Bungeoppang from the 26th of last month, when the late summer heat was still at its peak. Since Hoppang and Bungeoppang sell best during the large temperature differences in autumn and early winter, they hastened the release to capture peak season demand. The number of stores selling Bungeoppang has increased from about 4,000 last year to approximately 5,000 this year, and a 2+1 event will be held throughout October. GS25 also introduced new private brand (PB) products, including cream-filled Hoppang and grilled meat Hoppang.
Seven Eleven has also completed its winter preparations by launching unique winter beverages. They introduced a 'Refreshing Dongchimi' pouch drink as a differentiated winter product. This drink contains the original extract of dongchimi from Jangchung-dong Wang Jokbal, a domestic jokbal (pig’s trotters) brand. To celebrate the launch, customers who purchase roasted sweet potatoes will receive one pack of the refreshing dongchimi free until the 31st. Existing winter snacks such as Bungeoppang and fish cakes have also been renewed and reintroduced.
Not only food but also winter warming products to survive the cold season are being sold. Emart24 started selling warming products such as neck warmers, sleeping socks, and earmuffs from the end of last month. This is about a month earlier than usual, as warming products are typically launched from late October. Lip care products like lip balm and hand warmers have also been on sale since last month.
Similarly, CU launched products including hand warmers, sleeping socks, earmuffs, and lip care items, while Seven Eleven introduced a unique product made by connecting multiple hand warmers to form a blanket-like item, as well as new lip care products from pharmaceutical companies.
The industry’s early launch of winter products is due to a sharp increase in customer demand as temperatures cool during the seasonal transition. According to CU, from the 21st to the 27th of last month, the year-on-year sales growth rates for major products were ▲hand warmers 22.9%, ▲roasted sweet potatoes 30.8%, ▲instant fish cakes 17.5%, and ▲soups and stews 21.8%. In particular, the sales share of soup-based convenience meals such as gukbap (rice soup), udon, and jjambbong (spicy seafood noodle soup) was highest in October, accounting for 14.4% of annual sales.
At Seven Eleven, during the week from the 20th of last month, sales of winter products compared to the previous week showed that hand warmers sold more than ten times as much. During the same period, sales of the warm brewed coffee 'Seven Cafe Hot' increased by 65%, while stockings and lip care products recorded sales growth rates of 45% and 30%, respectively.
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