Gold Prices Soar... Four Major Convenience Stores Make "Gold Bars" the Keyword for This Year's Gift Sets

Simultaneous Sale of Value-for-Money and Premium Products
Practical Gift Sets Under 50,000 Won
Gold Bars Worth 1 Million Won and Ultra-High-End Whiskies Over 10 Million Won Also Available

As gold prices soar to unprecedented heights, the four major convenience store chains are all targeting gift demand for the upcoming Lunar New Year in February by highlighting gold bars. The convenience store industry is also reflecting the polarized consumption trends resulting from prolonged high inflation, focusing on both value-for-money and premium products.

According to the retail industry on January 13, GS25, operated by GS Retail, is introducing a total of about 700 types of holiday gift sets under the theme "Our Neighborhood Gift Shop."

Images of red horse gold bars, silver bars, and jewelry prepared by GS25 as Lunar New Year gifts. Provided by GS Retail

In particular, reflecting the New Year demand and the popularity of gold as a safe asset, the company is holding a special exhibition featuring 18 types of gold and silver products. To celebrate the "Year of the Red Horse," signature items include four types of "Red Horse Gold Bars" (3.75g for 1,051,000 won to 37.5g for 10,100,000 won) and a "Silver Bar 1000g" (6,360,000 won).

GS25 is also unveiling a wide range of ultra-premium alcoholic beverages with high scarcity value. These include the "Top 5 Chateau 2016 Vintage Set" (9,990,000 won) and "The Nikka Limited Whisky" (2,700,000 won). At Wine25Plus, customers can find the "Johnnie Walker Blue Horse Edition" (369,000 won) and "Luce 2021 & Luce BDM 2019" (400,000 won).

Practical gift sets have also been prepared. For agricultural, livestock, and fisheries gift sets such as fruit and Korean beef, the proportion of products priced under 50,000 won has increased by 40% compared to last year. Representative products include the "Rice Master 8-Pack Set" and "Healthy Grains 3kg," both priced at 49,900 won. For Korean beef gift sets, the focus has shifted from the previous 200,000 won range to an increased proportion of products in the 100,000 won range, such as the "Beef LA Galbi Set 2kg" and "Korean Beef & Pork Value Set," both offered at 128,000 won.

CU: From 30,000-Won Value Sets to 260 Million-Won Audio Packages

Premium products sold at CU. (From left) Samsung Gold Exchange Ilwolobongdo Pure Gold Coin 0.1g, Mini Gold 1 Carat Diamond Necklace, Chateau Margaux 2015, Audiovector Network Audio Package, Macallan Horizon, Gucci Long Wallet. Provided by BGF Retail

CU, operated by BGF Retail, is selling a total of about 670 types of Lunar New Year gifts, ranging from 30,000-won value sets to a 260 million-won audio package.

CU is offering its ultra-low-priced private brand (PB) "PBICK Value Series." This includes two types: the PBICK Value Processed Meat Set (30,000 won), featuring chicken breast, whole chicken leg, and smoked duck, and the PBICK Dried Pollack Value Set (39,000 won), which includes crispy and spicy Buldak dried pollack.

Health functional food gift sets are also available. The "Health Project 365 Bundle Pack" (39,800 won) contains nine different health supplements for liver, eyes, intestines, and more. In addition, the "Hansohan Meal Protein Shake Set" (38,000 won) is offered in four varieties in limited quantities.

Reflecting the gold investment (gold + finance) trend, CU is selling gold and jewelry products as well. These include the Ilwolobongdo (0.1g, 63,000 won) and Hojakdo (0.2g, 92,000 won) pure gold bars-reinterpretations of traditional folk paintings-as well as the Janmang Loopy pure gold bar (0.5g, 180,000 won) and the Byeongonyeon Horse pure gold bar (99,000 won).

For alcoholic beverages, premium wines such as Chateau Margaux 2015 (3,446,900 won) and Chateau Latour 2010 (3,111,800 won) are available. The ultra-premium whisky lineup has been strengthened this year, including the Macallan Horizon (120 million won), Dalmore 45 Years (39.9 million won), and Royal Salute House of Queen (11.8 million won).

The most expensive gift item this year is the "Audiovector Network Audio Package" (260.4 million won). Audiovector is a renowned Danish handmade high-end audio manufacturer. The lineup also includes the Wilson Benesch Network Audio Package (139 million won) and the Audiovector All-in-One Audio Package (51.35 million won).

Seven Eleven: Selling National Museum of Korea 'MU:DS' Gold Crown Brooches and More

Convenience store Seven Eleven announced on the 13th that it will sell a total of about 550 products, including gold bars, running gear, and the National Museum of Korea's 'MU:DS,' until the 23rd of next month. Photo by Seven Eleven

Convenience store Seven Eleven announced that it will sell a total of about 550 products, including gold bars, running gear, and the National Museum of Korea's "MU:DS," until the 23rd of next month.

Starting on the 15th, Seven Eleven will offer five types of gold bars, such as the "Golden Yellow Croaker Gold Bar" and the "Zodiac Horse Heart Gold Bar." To target runners, the store is introducing eight types of functional sports accessories, including the "Neck Gate Neck Warmer" (23,900 won), "Mobile Running Belt" (25,900 won), and "City Knit Balaclava" (59,900 won). Due to last year's MU:DS craze, the National Museum Cultural Foundation's Silla Gold Crown series-"Gold Crown Brooch" (98,000 won) and "Gold Crown Earring" (40,000 won)-will also be available.

A premium alcoholic beverage lineup will also be introduced. Seven Eleven will offer a limited quantity of "Petrus 2008" (880,000 won), one of the world's top three wines. In addition, in celebration of the Year of the Red Horse in 2026, limited-edition liquors with high collectible value, such as the "Johnnie Walker Blue 750 Horse Edition" (399,000 won), will be available.

To meet the needs of value-seeking customers, Seven Eleven is strengthening its selection of traditional holiday favorites such as Spam, cooking oil, and tuna with processed food sets priced between 10,000 and 70,000 won, as well as affordable red ginseng, arginine, and natural honey products in the 20,000 to 30,000 won range.

Emart24 Targets Millennials & Gen Z: Selling Pure Gold Pouches, Galaxy Watch 8, and More

Emart24 announced on the 13th that it will conduct pre-orders for Lunar New Year gift sets targeting the preferences of Millennials & Gen Z until the 6th of next month. Photo by Emart24

Emart24 is conducting pre-orders for Lunar New Year gift sets targeting the preferences of Millennials & Gen Z until the 6th of next month.

First, Emart24 is exclusively offering two types of Galaxy wearables for runners: the "Galaxy Buds 3 FE" and "Galaxy Watch 8" (40mm and 44mm models).

Illustration goods gift sets have also been prepared. Representative products include two types of keyrings for "bag decoration" enthusiasts: the "Cushion Keyring" (13,500 won) and the "Doll Keyring" (23,500 won). In addition, Emart24 is exclusively offering goods from illustrator Ko Jooyeon's "Charade Show" project.

Products targeting Millennials & Gen Z interested in financial investment have also been prepared. Reflecting the rising demand for small-scale gold investment and silver bars due to soaring gold prices, Emart24 is offering the "2026 Pure Gold Lucky Pouch 1.875g" and the "2026 Vacuum Silver Bar 1000g." The prices of gold exchange products will be set according to market rates during the sales period.

Emart24 is also offering steady-selling fresh food gift sets such as Korean beef, ribs, dried persimmons, and special Red Horse-themed products to commemorate the Year of the Red Horse. Exclusive fresh gift sets at Emart24 include the "Female Korean Beef Five Blessings Set," "Samwon Garden LA Flower Ribs," and "Banwa Dried Persimmon Sando." Special alcoholic beverages for the Year of the Red Horse, such as the "Johnnie Walker XR Horse Edition" and "Hwayo 53 Red Horse Edition," are also available.