CU Becomes First in Industry to Partner with Nintendo, Launches 'Pikmin' Collaboration Products

Five Collaborative Products Featuring the Pikmin Universe
Collect Adorable Pikmin Characters While Walking

On July 31, CU, the convenience store operated by BGF Retail, announced that it has become the first in the industry to form an intellectual property (IP) partnership with Nintendo and will collaborate with the popular game character "Pikmin."

Pikmin is a character from the Nintendo Switch game "Pikmin 4," where players can enjoy adventures with the mysterious creatures called Pikmin and the space dog Oatchi on an unknown planet. Recently, the character has gained even more popularity through the 3D augmented reality mobile game "Pikmin Bloom."

CU 'Nintendo Pikmin' Collaboration Product. Photo by BGF Retail

CU stated that its previous collaboration marketing campaigns with popular characters, gaming companies, and food brands have attracted significant attention. This time, CU aims to provide a differentiated customer experience by offering collaborative products featuring the Pikmin universe and various events.

First, Pikmin Bloom game users who visit CU stores can discover special spots. By opening the app and visiting any CU store nationwide, users can swipe down at the special spot to obtain a special "Pikmin 4 Spaceship Deco Pikmin" seedling with a unique design. In addition, new Pikmin seedlings can be collected at each CU store every two weeks.

Five Pikmin IP collaboration products will also be released sequentially. The "Pikmin Yogurt Macaron" (3,700 KRW) incorporates the game's concept of Pikmin collecting fruit by offering a refreshing fruit flavor. The yogurt macaron is filled with lemon and berry-flavored fillings for extra freshness, and a Pikmin character is drawn on the macaron shell for a special touch.

Additionally, the "Custard Donut" (2,800 KRW) uses Berliner dough, a German-style yeast donut, filled with vanilla bean custard cream to enhance both flavor and texture. The "Flower-shaped Snack" (2,000 KRW) features a milk-flavored snack shaped like the white flowers Pikmin bloom. Each product comes with one of 50 random Pikmin Tibuccil stickers, adding to the fun of collecting.

The "Whistle Candy" (2,500 KRW), to be launched by CU next month, includes one of six random sets of Pikmin character keyrings and whistles. In addition, the "Apple Ade" (800 KRW) will be released sequentially, and a 20,000 KRW Nintendo prepaid card featuring a Pikmin design, usable at the Nintendo eShop, will also be sold.

Lee Eungwan, Head of Strategic MD Team at BGF Retail, said, "We will continue to pursue unique marketing campaigns linked to popular content that attracts the main consumer base of convenience stores."