“Better than Starbucks Diary” This place gives you a ‘bungeoppang machine’ if you drink coffee [소비의 달인]

To mark the end of the year, coffee shops have been fiercely competing for ‘frequency free gifts’ since the middle of last month.

Frequency is a term that means frequency, and in the coffee industry, it refers to an event where free gifts such as diaries are given to those who drink coffee or other beverages a certain number of times during a predetermined period of time.

The originator and absolute leader in the year-end coffee frequency competition is Starbucks. However, some say that in the past 2-3 years, its popularity has not been as good as it used to be.

This is because, more than 10 years after smartphones became popular, most users in their 30s and 40s as well as those in their 50s and 60s manage their schedules with smartphones.

The Starbucks Diary, which can be received by drinking 17 cups of coffee drinks (including 3 mission drinks), has been on sale in second-hand markets such as Carrot and Joonggonara since mid-December last year for a price of around 10,000 won.

As of the 2nd, the 2024 Starbucks diary is mainly traded for between 18,000 and 20,000 won on used trading platforms.

Mr. A, an office worker in his 40s, said, “Unlike 4-5 years ago, these days, people around me are definitely less interested in coffee shop diaries at the end of the year.”

The most eye-catching item in this year’s coffee shop frequency market is Twosome Place’s ‘Bungeobbang Machine’.

This is a product that adds the shape of a bungeoppang mold to a waffle machine. You can exchange the product after drinking 15 cups of coffee drinks (including 4 mission drinks).

In the past 3 to 4 years, it has become difficult to find a street bungeoppang shop, so the term ‘bungseokwon’ has appeared, and the price of bungeoppang has become very expensive.

Ms. B, a housewife in her 30s, is looking to win a bungeoppang machine, saying, “I think my children will like it if I make it at home using a bungeoppang machine.”

Tom&Toms is attracting attention by holding a frequency event where if you drink 10 cups of coffee drinks (including 3 mission drinks), you will receive a 13-inch ready bag from Ninetigo (brand name) and a Pengsoo money clip.

Mr. C, a college student in his 20s, said, “I think the ready bag is much more useful than the typical diary event that comes out every year.”

Starbucks said, “The number of Frequency giveaways, such as diaries, has increased by more than 55% compared to the same period last year, and it is operating with popularity in line with the purpose of Starbucks’ traditional charity event.”

Inside and outside the distribution industry, there are evaluations that Starbucks has changed to a very cautious attitude since the carry bag controversy that arose in July of last year, unlike its previous appearance of offering various and leading frequency giveaways.

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