“Surging Sales in Convenience Stores During University Festivals Without Masks”

It was confirmed that related sales in the distribution industry surged as the university spring festival was held with’No Mask’ four years after Corona 19.

According to the industry on the 23rd, sales of festival-related products at stores near colleges of the four convenience stores (CU, GS25, 7-Eleven, and E-Mart 24) have increased by as much as dozens of times. As college festivals resumed in earnest after the lifting of outdoor mask requirements, demand for alcoholic beverages, convenience foods, and items for outdoor activities increased significantly.

As a result of analyzing the sales data of 112 stores located in the university district of GS25, sales of liquor increased by 173% as of May compared to the same period last year, and pet soju and pet beer also increased by 91% and 85%, respectively. The increase in ice packs (241%), pet carbonic acid (363%), and refrigerated meal kits (122%) used at festival taverns is also steep. In the case of meal kits, they are popular because they are often procured for snacks at festival taverns. A GS25 official explained, “Considering that soju and beer sales are high even in normal times, the increase is very large.”

7-Eleven also saw a 220% increase in snack snacks, 150% instant chicken, and 100% convenience food sales from the 10th to 19th compared to last year. Sales of items necessary for outdoor activities such as party supplies such as firecrackers (180%), safety and household medicine (180%), and insecticides (90%) are also attracting attention.

E-Mart 24 showed a high sales growth rate of ice (216%), chicken gangjeong, and kimchijeon (167%) in 300 stores in the university district. At CU, convenience foods such as alcoholic beverages, tea drinks, gimbap (68.2%) and main sandwiches (55.9%) were popular.

Various events linked to university festivals also attract attention. CU is holding a discount event for items that college students usually purchase, such as gimbap and coffee. In addition, CU sponsors related products to Yonsei University Festival ‘Akaraka’ and Korea University ‘Ipsilenti’ as a token of gratitude for the popular partnership with ‘Godae Bread’ and ‘Yonsei Bread’. A CU official said, “As festivals for college students, the main customers of convenience stores, have been held nationwide for a long time, sales of convenience stores located in college districts are booming. ”he said.