Large Supermarkets See Soaring Sales on 'Samgyeopsal Day'... Samgyeopsal Sales Jump 92%

Emart Pork Sales Up 88% YoY, Samgyeopsal and Moksim Up 92%
Lotte Mart Also Sees Over 40% Daily Pork Sales Increase
Popular Due to Home Meal Preference and Up to Half-Price Discounts
Largest Event Volume and Duration This Year... "Continuing Discounts on Samchiday and White Day"

A customer is looking at the 'Samgyeopsal Day' event products at Lotte Mart.

[Asia Economy Reporter Yuri Kim] On March 3rd, 'Samgyeopsal Day,' sales of samgyeopsal at large supermarkets surged significantly. This is analyzed as the effect of companies competitively launching discount events amid a strong preference for home-cooked meals due to COVID-19 and a sharp rise in pork prices.

According to the distribution industry on the 4th, Emart's pork sales on the day of 'Samgyeopsal Day' increased by 88% compared to the same period last year. Among these, sales of samgyeopsal and pork neck rose by 92%. Lotte Mart also saw pork sales increase by 40.5% on the same day. From February 28, the start of the event, to March 2, Lotte Mart's sales also increased by more than 15% compared to the same period last year. Homeplus also attracted popularity as major store event products sold out early.

'Samgyeopsal Day' was designated as 'Samgyeopsal Eating Day' by the National Livestock Cooperative Federation on March 3rd, inspired by the double occurrence of the number '3,' to promote pork consumption and support livestock farmers. It is considered a period when pork consumption is concentrated along with holidays such as Seollal and Chuseok. Especially after the COVID-19 outbreak, consumers who felt burdened by dining out have joined the 'home cook' trend, allowing large supermarkets to enjoy a special demand for pork consumption.

This year, marts plan to maximize the effect by offering pork, whose average wholesale price rose about 20% in January and February, at 'up to half price' discounts, increasing event quantities and duration compared to before. Emart prepared about 500 tons, the usual monthly sales volume of refrigerated samgyeopsal and pork neck, and will sell at a discount until the 9th. Emart stated, "Including frozen pork, the scale has expanded by 40% compared to last year to about 600 tons," adding, "To this end, not only our own meat processing and packaging center, the Meat Center, but also three buildings of the Fresh Center, an agricultural product distribution center, were additionally mobilized."

Lotte Mart also set the event period (February 28 to March 6) generously around Samgyeopsal Day and expanded event quantities by more than 30% compared to last year. They explained that raw materials secured through domestic auction houses and overseas direct sourcing are processed at Lotte's 'Fresh Quality Innovation Center,' drastically reducing distribution stages to maintain freshness and price competitiveness. Homeplus is also attracting popularity with its representative event of the 25th anniversary group integrated discount event 'Rock Festival,' which continues throughout March, including discounts on meats such as samgyeopsal, with daily prepared quantities selling out early.

Large supermarkets plan to continue 'day marketing' targeting consecutive commemorative days such as 'Samchi Day' on the 7th and 'White Day' on the 14th, starting with 'Samgyeopsal Day.'

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