Convenience store chains CU, GS25, Seven Eleven, and Emart24 have launched their Chuseok gift set sales this year, offering a wide range of products from a 31 million won humanoid robot to affordable food items priced at 10,000 won.
According to the convenience store industry on the 17th, CU, GS25, Seven Eleven, and Emart24 began their Chuseok gift sales in mid-August. CU has prepared over 710 types of gift sets, while GS25 and Seven Eleven each have around 600 types available.
Notably, high-priced items that are rarely seen in convenience stores are now included. CU is selling a bipedal humanoid robot for 31 million won, a robotic dog for 3.99 million won, and a massage chair for 2.7 million won. They have also partnered with Samsung Gold Trading to offer 12 types of pure gold products, including gold bars.
GS25 is featuring a humanoid 'social robot Riku' that reacts to emotions for 5.5 million won, along with a Go game robot and AI robot keychains. In the alcohol category, they are offering a 'Five Great Chateau 2016 Vintage Set' for 949,900 won. They have also expanded their selection of precious metal products to 15 types, including gold and silver bars.
The inclusion of high-priced items in convenience store catalogs reflects a trend where gift consumption is becoming more personalized, focusing on individual interests and preferences rather than just price.
CU's gift sales during this year's Lunar New Year increased by 13.8% compared to last year, with sales of items priced over 100,000 won rising by 39.2%. Seven Eleven also reported a 17% increase in gift sales during last year's Chuseok, with positive responses to whiskey, traditional liquor, health foods, cosmetics, and collaboration products with popular restaurants.
The competition for 'preference-based gifts' utilizing characters and famous restaurants is also intensifying. CU has prepared 20 Pokémon-related products, including a Pikachu apple set, camping gear, and golf balls.
Seven Eleven is offering nine types of merchandise featuring Hello Kitty, including keychains, card wallets, and tumblers, as well as cakes, kimchi, and meat products in collaboration with Lotte Hotel.
Not only are premium and unique products increasing, but traditional holiday food sales are also being strengthened as more consumers use convenience stores for everyday shopping. Emart24 has increased its selection of fresh food gift items by about 30% compared to last year, offering famous local fruits, Hanwoo beef, and Yeonggwang gulbi, along with six types of 'Hanwoo Gourmet Sets' suitable for one or two people. This targets the so-called 'single holiday celebrators' who spend the holiday alone.
CU has prepared 'Gyeongju Millennium Hanwoo,' Chikso Hanwoo, and wet-aged Hanwoo, while GS25 has assembled assorted pancakes, dumplings, pork cutlets, tteokgalbi, and kimchi priced between 10,000 and 50,000 won. This two-track strategy aims to secure attention with high-priced unique products while lowering the price burden on popular holiday food items.
The competition for pre-orders has also accelerated. CU began pre-sales on the 14th, five days earlier than last year. GS25 is offering card discounts and 1+1 and 2+1 promotions on 127 products from the 17th to next month’s 4th. Emart24 will start sales on the 18th, applying discounts of up to 20% on 33 major gift sets.
In the past, convenience store holiday gifts focused on practical items like ham, tuna, and cooking oil that could be easily purchased at nearby stores. Recently, however, they have rapidly expanded their offerings using nationwide store networks, catalog orders, and delivery apps, allowing them to handle everything from hundreds of thousands of won robots and premium wines to fresh food without being limited by store shelf space.
Kim Ji-young, manager of the convenience store promotion team at GS Retail, stated, “Recently, more customers are choosing holiday gifts that combine practicality and uniqueness, considering the tastes and lifestyles of their family and friends.”
* This article has been translated by AI.
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