Incheon Airport Convenience Stores Bustle as International Travel Resumes

GS25 Sales Up 37% Year-on-Year
CU Major Items Increase Nearly 60%
Meals Like Bread and Coffee Drinks
Charger and Earphone Sales Rise

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jinyoung] As COVID-19 enters the endemic phase and overseas travel resumes, convenience store sales at Incheon Airport, the gateway for international departures, have all increased. In particular, sales of products for quick snacks before departure and items needed locally have noticeably risen.

According to the convenience store industry on the 30th, from the 1st to the 21st of this month, GS25 stores at Incheon Airport saw total sales grow by 37.0% compared to the same period last year. During the same period, major item sales at CU stores also increased by nearly 60%.

By category, sales of products for simple meals while waiting for flights before departure increased significantly.

At GS25 stores, sales of bread, coffee beverages, and side dishes rose by 45.5%, 58.7%, and 121.6% respectively compared to the previous year. CU stores also saw dessert sales increase by 51.4%, along with snacks (24.0%), ice (47.9%), and instant drip coffee (57.7%).

Beyond food items, sales of products needed on the plane or locally also increased.

For GS25, charger sales rose by 110.7% during the same period, followed by earphones (149.8%), sun care products (92.1%), and bandages (40.5%). CU also experienced sales growth in basic cosmetics (69.1%), toiletries (22.0%), and essential over-the-counter medicines (23.6%).

An industry official explained, "Customers who had been disappointed by not being able to travel overseas have flocked to the airport, purchasing items needed for travel. Especially, sales of chargers and earphones needed for long trips, sun care and medicines required locally, and side dishes to eat at travel destinations have significantly increased."

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