Food Industry Strengthens 'Contactless' and 'Customized' Chuseok Gifts

COVID-19 Spread Likely to Boost Popularity of Contactless Gifts
Increasing Online Sales of Gift Sets and Strengthening Untact Delivery Services

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Saeng-hye] This Chuseok, as large-scale holiday travel decreases and non-face-to-face consumption is expected to increase, the distribution industry is moving quickly to capture the post-COVID Chuseok boom, which differs from previous years. In preparation for the anticipated surge in non-face-to-face consumption, the food and dining industries are increasing the proportion of online sales gift sets, launching untact delivery services, and offering high-quality small-package gift sets.

According to the distribution industry on the 6th, CJ CheilJedang introduced the 'Baeksul Richly Nutty Sesame Oil' gift set, which enhances taste quality and practicality. This gift set was planned reflecting the recent trend of increasing demand for cooking ingredients amid the rise of 'home meal' consumers. It is composed of the recently upgraded and well-received 'Baeksul Richly Nutty Sesame Oil.'

Reflecting the untact trend, CJ CheilJedang is expanding online sales channels for the Baeksul sesame oil gift set and conducting consumer promotions. Until the 20th of this month, an online event titled 'Cold-pressed #RealNutty Baeksul Richly Nutty Sesame Oil is the real deal!' is being held. Participants can join by watching unique recipe videos of 'Baeksul Richly Nutty Sesame Oil' and voting for the recipe they want to try or answering quiz questions. Winners will be drawn to receive limited edition eco-friendly premium gift sets of 'Baeksul Richly Nutty Sesame Oil,' wireless vacuum cleaners, toasters, and other prizes.

Lotte Foods has expanded the variety of its Chuseok gift sets, ranging from the 'Lospam Canned Ham Set' to 'Mixed Sets,' 'Delicatessen Handmade Ham Sets,' and 'Ground Coffee Sets,' broadening consumer choices. The lineup includes various price ranges from affordable sets priced between 10,000 to 20,000 KRW to premium sets over 50,000 KRW. Particularly considering economic factors, they increased sets priced under 30,000 KRW by about 15% compared to last Lunar New Year, strengthening value-for-money options.

Lotte Foods gift sets can be purchased conveniently at nearby retail stores such as marts, supermarkets, department stores, and convenience stores, as well as through major online malls including Lotte Foods' exclusive online mall, Lotte Food Mall.

Online specialty malls are targeting small households with small-package gift sets to capitalize on the Chuseok demand. 'Excel Beef Online Mall,' a premium beef brand used by three major steak houses in New York, USA, is aiming for the Chuseok market with small-package gift sets that both gift-givers and receivers can enjoy without burden during the untact holiday. They have prepared practical gift sets in 1.6kg and 2kg packages, downsizing from the previously sold 3kg and 5kg rib sets, and also offer small-package meat sets of 1.6kg featuring popular cuts such as chuck flap tail, chuck eye roll, pork belly, and brisket.

The food specialty online mall 'FoodYap' also offers LA galbi, a popular holiday item, in small packages, presenting a set of two 1kg products. Despite the small packaging, they paid close attention to maintaining quality. The gift sets are made with safe, high-quality galbi from Korea's largest meat processing company certified by HACCP. In particular, the cold chain system maintains the appropriate temperature throughout all processes from slaughter to distribution, preserving freshness and enhancing satisfaction for gift recipients.

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