Homeplus Reports 14% Increase in Chuseok Gift Set Sales

Sharp Increase in Sales of Gift Sets Related to 'Health' and 'Jipbap'
Sales of High-End Products Over 100,000 Won Also Rising

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Hye-seon] Sales of Chuseok gift sets are increasing at large supermarkets.

According to Homeplus on the 22nd, sales of Chuseok gift sets from the 6th of last month to the 20th of this month, a period of 46 days, grew by 14% compared to the same period last year. In particular, during this period, gift demand was heavily focused on "health" and "home-cooked meals."

Sales of health sets increased by 47% compared to last year, with major items showing rapid sales growth such as Jeonggwanjang Hong Sam Jinbon at 704%, and Dongwon Cheonjiin Root Power Wild Ginseng Cultured Root at 87% growth rate.

Fresh food categories that help boost immunity also grew evenly, with fruits up 26%, vegetables 25%, livestock products 8%, and seafood 6%, resulting in an overall sales growth rate of 9%. Sets of fresh fish such as Wando abalone and Jeju cutlassfish increased by 72%, fresh ginseng and deodeok sets by 31%, dried mushroom sets by 8%, and gim (seaweed) sets by 14%.

Additionally, as more households have been having all three meals at home due to the COVID-19 situation, sales of meal replacements and canned food sets, which are convenient to stock at home, increased by 13% compared to last year. Some items such as CJ Special Selection JH set rose by 174%, and Dongwon Mixed Can 64-R set by 66%. Sales of handmade ham sets also showed a growth of 46%.

Alcohol and coffee set sales recorded high growth rates of 26% and 24% respectively, reflecting the lifestyles of the growing number of home drinking and home cafe enthusiasts who are visiting cafes and bars less frequently these days.

Following the temporary relaxation of the Kim Young-ran Act, sales of high-priced sets over 100,000 won, including Korean beef and dried yellow corvina sets, showed double-digit growth rates of 11% and 23% respectively. Sales of Nonghyup Safe Korean Beef frozen meat sets (120,000 won) soared by an astonishing 214%. Reflecting the disappointment of not being able to travel abroad, sales of imported fruit sets such as kiwi, apple mango, and Thai mango increased 15-fold (1495%), marking a changed landscape.

In response, Homeplus has increased personnel and vehicles at nationwide logistics centers by more than 30% compared to usual to handle the increased gift set orders. To allow customers to express their heartfelt feelings along with gifts through "handwritten letters," postcard-sized stationery and envelopes will be provided at holiday gift set purchase counters in stores nationwide until the 29th.

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