"Unexpected Winner?"... Top Consumer Coupon Usage Was Not Beef

Hamburger Sector Records the Highest Growth Rate

As a result of the government's first round of livelihood recovery consumer coupons, payment volumes have increased in everyday sectors such as food and beverage and private academies.

A notice regarding consumer coupons is posted in a market in downtown Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

According to WiseApp·Retail, a real-time app and payment data-based market and competitor analysis solution, the industry with the highest growth rate in estimated payment amount by retail brand sector was hamburgers, with a 34.2% increase. This result is based on a sample survey of Koreans aged 20 and older who made payments via credit card, debit card, bank transfer, or micro-payment between July and August, compared to the same period last year.

The industry with the highest growth rate in estimated payment amount compared to the same period last year was hamburgers (34.2%). Photo by Getty Images

Cafes followed with a 33.3% increase, then private academies (31.7%), eyewear and lenses (31.2%), and pizza (27.1%). Dining out and delivery (19.5%), bakery and snacks (17.5%), convenience stores (8.3%), and movie theaters (6.7%) also showed upward trends.

The government distributed the first round of livelihood recovery consumer coupons in July. In this first round, 50.08 million people-99% of all eligible recipients-applied, and a total of 9.0693 trillion won was distributed.

Although there were concerns that consumption might be concentrated in certain sectors, in reality, spending increased evenly across a variety of everyday categories, including not only dining out and snacks but also private academies, eyewear and lenses, and movie theaters. The increase in spending was particularly notable in everyday sectors where small payments are frequent, such as dining out and snacks. The policy effect was especially clear in the hamburger and cafe sectors, which are widely used by all age groups.

Industries with Consumer Coupons Showing Significant Increase in Estimated Payment Amount Compared to the Same Period Last Year. WiseApp·Retail

This survey targeted major retail brands with significant consumer payment volumes in each sector. WiseApp·Retail stated, "The estimated payment amounts are based on personal payment records from credit cards, debit cards, bank transfers, and mobile micro-payments. Corporate cards, business-to-business transactions, and simple payment services were excluded. The figures from WiseApp·Retail differ from the actual sales of individual companies in each sector."