Enjoy Gwamegi at Convenience Stores... CU Launches Second Product of 'Sugohess-eo Today' Series

[Asia Economy Reporter Seungjin Lee] CU will launch the second product in its aged sashimi series, "Sugohaess-eo(魚) Oneuldo," the Guryongpo Gwamegi, on the 13th.

Last month, CU introduced the first product in the refrigerated sashimi line "Sugohaess-eo Oneuldo," an aged skate sashimi, under the concept of "a small comfort after a hard day," designed as a single-serving snack for solo drinking.

The aged skate sashimi has gained explosive popularity among middle-aged and older customers, with 52.3% of sales coming from people in their 40s and 50s. As of mid-February, it ranks 4th in sales within the refrigerated seafood snack category, the only product to do so. Considering that 74.2% of convenience store refrigerated snack sales are dominated by customers in their 20s and 30s, this is an unusual figure.

CU attributes this trend to the reduction in evening drinking occasions due to the 52-hour workweek system and the significant impact of recent events such as the novel coronavirus (Wuhan pneumonia). As a result, a social atmosphere has spread where people avoid visiting seafood markets or dining out, leading to an increase in middle-aged and older generations enjoying simple home drinking, not just the 20s and 30s age group.

The newly released CU Guryongpo Gwamegi is famous for its chewy texture and savory taste, achieved by drying it for several days in the sea breeze. This product contains six pieces (100g) of Gwamegi cut into bite-sized portions, allowing easy enjoyment anywhere without additional preparation. It is packaged specially to maintain optimal freshness and taste, and includes seasoned seaweed and spicy dipping sauce so customers can enjoy it wrapped just like in restaurants.

CU plans to further strengthen the "Sugohaess-eo Oneuldo" series by sequentially launching aged octopus and aged salmon sashimi later this month.

Yeom Jun, MD (Merchandise Planner) of BGF Retail's Fresh Food Team, said, "By making sashimi, which was previously difficult to handle due to freshness maintenance issues, conveniently available as refrigerated snacks, we can satisfy the tastes of various customers. CU will continue to launch differentiated products using various seafood ingredients."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.