Convenience Store Ultra-Low Price War... "Securing Grocery Shopping Demand"

Expansion of PB Daily Necessities and Ready Meals
CU Ramen 1 Pack 380 Won
GS25 Egg 1 Piece 325 Won

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] As grocery prices have been rising sharply recently, convenience stores are engaging in a "ultra-low price war" by offering products that are even 10 won cheaper. Their strategy is to solidify the demand for convenience store shopping, which has expanded since the COVID-19 pandemic, by expanding private brand (PB) daily necessities and ready-to-eat meals.

On the 15th, CU is operating six products through the "Heyroo Deuktem Series," including bagged ramen and eggs. The representative product, Ramen Deuktem, is a beef broth ramen priced at 380 won per pack. Egg Deuktem consists of 15 large eggs, priced at 326 won per egg. They also sell half-price fruit products such as apples and bananas. Last month, sales of half-price fruit products increased by 22.9% compared to the same period last year.

GS25 is continuously expanding its "Practical Pick Series" products. Last month, they lowered the price of gimbap, a representative convenience store food, and introduced three types including the Practical Authentic King Gimbap with increased volume. These products sold out within three days through the GS25 exclusive app "My Refrigerator" pre-order sales, and 500,000 units were sold within two weeks of launch. Starting this month, eggs and rice will be offered in the Practical Pick Series. The eggs come in a pack of 12 large eggs, priced at 325 won per egg. The Practical Pick rice is 4kg of Sangdeungmi from Dangjin, Chungnam, priced at 247 won per 100g. These products are priced at the lowest levels nationwide.

Emart24 is selling over 40 products such as bagged ramen and toilet paper through its "Minsaeng Series." Minsaeng ramen is priced at 390 won, and Minsaeng cup ramen at 580 won, with many food products priced under 1,000 won. As a result, the Minsaeng Series has recorded an average annual sales growth rate of 40%.

A convenience store industry official said, "As the trend of nearby shopping expands recently, the range of grocery items such as instant rice and ramen is broadening," adding, "We plan to continuously introduce cost-effective products with reliable quality in the future."

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