New Valentine’s Scene Created by COVID-19: "Enjoy Steak and Wine at Home, Order Chocolates via Delivery Apps"

Market Kurly Sees 100% Sales Increase in Steak Meat Compared to Last Year
Same-Day Wine Reservations Available at Nearby Convenience Stores
Valentine's Chocolate Delivery Service Also Offered at Convenience Stores

Market Kurly 'Valentine's Day Special Event'

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Sunghye] Office worker Kim Jeongin (33) purchased ingredients for cooking steak and pasta, as well as simple desserts, from an online mall ahead of Valentine’s Day on the 14th. Due to concerns about the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia), she chose a home party instead of dining out and online shopping instead of going to the supermarket.

According to Market Kurly, a fresh food specialty mall, from the 6th to the 10th, five days after launching the Valentine’s Day special event, sales of steak meat (ribeye, sirloin, tenderloin, etc.) increased by 45% compared to the previous week and 100% compared to the same period last year. Dessert sales increased by 64% compared to the previous week and 103% compared to last year. A Market Kurly official said, “This Valentine’s Day, not only chocolates but also related home party items are showing strong sales growth.”

On Gmarket, candy sales increased by 101% compared to the same period last year during the recent week (February 4?10), and sales of jelly (75%), cakes and muffins (180%), and baking and confectionery ingredients (35%) also rose compared to last year.

Wine sales are also on the rise. GS25 convenience store’s 'Same-Day Wine Reservation' service, launched in partnership with Wine25, saw sales increase by 15% from the same period last month between the 1st and 10th. Customers can select wine and pick-up stores through the GS Fresh app, then visit GS25 to pay and collect their orders. A GS25 official said, “Starting from the 11th, we are holding a special event to celebrate Valentine’s Day, including discounts on wine prices and offering a luxury Spiegelau wine glass set, expecting significant sales growth.”

Paris Baguette's '2020 Valentine's Day Special Products'

Food and dining companies have also launched aggressive online marketing campaigns. Paris Baguette released about 50 season-limited products including Valentine’s Day cakes and chocolates, and offered a 10% discount for pre-orders made through the Happy Order app and Happy Point app. A Paris Baguette official stated, “Pre-order sales of Valentine’s Day gift products increased by more than 60% compared to last year.”

Domino’s Pizza will sell a 'Valentine’s Day Special Package' offering 30% discounts on half-and-half medium pizzas and half-and-half spaghetti for delivery or takeout from the 14th to the 16th. Korea Papa John’s will exclusively sell Heart Thin pizzas on 11st from the 11th to the 16th.

Convenience store CU is collaborating with delivery apps, which have recently seen a surge in users. Thirty types of Valentine’s Day chocolates will also be sold through Yogiyo’s delivery service. Customers can use the service by purchasing over 10,000 KRW at CU stores within a 1.5 km radius of the delivery address among more than 4,000 CU stores nationwide operating delivery services via the Yogiyo app. From the 14th to the 15th, Yogiyo will hold a Super Red Week discount event, reducing delivery fees by 2,000 KRW to 1,000 KRW.

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