Meeting Demand of 1-2 Person Households... Emart Increases Mini Watermelon Sales Threefold to 1,000 Tons

[Asia Economy Reporter Minyoung Cha] With the increase in 1-2 person households, small watermelons weighing less than 5kg have emerged as the trend.

On the 8th, Emart analyzed watermelon sales and found that the proportion of watermelons weighing less than 5kg in total watermelon sales rose nearly fourfold from 4% in 2015 to 16% in 2019. Meanwhile, the sales share of watermelons over 10kg dropped by more than half, from 20.7% to 9%.

Small watermelon sales are led by mini watermelons such as Kkamang Apple Watermelon and Black Mango Watermelon, as well as cut-piece watermelons sold as "Na Honja Watermelon," "Half Watermelon," and "1/4 Watermelon."

Kkamang Apple Watermelon, which is eaten like an apple, and Black Mango Watermelon, with yellow flesh like a mango, are both mini watermelons weighing less than 5kg. They are also more affordable compared to regular watermelons. Kkamang Apple Watermelon (1.5~3kg) is priced at 5,980 won, and Black Mango Watermelon (3~5kg) at 9,900 won.

Na Honja Watermelon, a small package weighing around 600g, ideal for one person, is sold for 3,980 won. Emart first introduced it in 2018 for single-person households, and its sales increased by 20% last year compared to the previous year. Half Watermelon and 1/4 Watermelon, introduced in 2017, also saw a 15% sales increase last year.

In particular, cut-piece watermelons are sold in specially developed plastic containers dedicated to maintaining freshness. The container for Half Watermelon includes a separate handle to improve portability.

Accordingly, Emart is preparing about 1,000 tons of small watermelons, three times the amount from last year, for full-scale sales. Going forward, large retailers plan to break away from the fixed notion of selling only large-sized products and will continuously develop products suited to demographic structures to quickly respond to changing consumer trends.

Emart watermelon buyer Sanghoon Ahn said, “We have prepared various mini watermelons and cut-piece watermelons so that 1-2 person households can enjoy watermelons at sizes and prices that are not burdensome,” adding, “We plan to continue developing products that match trends through careful consideration of what consumers want.”

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