5 Cans for 10,000 Won Budweiser, Convenience Store Dakgangjeong... Value-for-Money Products Rise Amid High Inflation

A customer is choosing beer and snacks at CU.

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jinyoung] Budweiser, sold at 5 cans for 10,000 won in convenience stores, is flying off the shelves, and sales of convenience store Dakgangjeong (sweet and crispy fried chicken) are rising instead of franchise chicken, as customers increasingly seek 'cost-effective' products amid high inflation.

According to BGF Retail on the 24th, Budweiser, included in the Beer Day event offering 5 cans for 10,000 won discount sales every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday throughout July, surpassed Cass sales last week to become the top seller among both domestic and imported beers.

Due to the super special price event, some stores are even experiencing a Budweiser sweep phenomenon. Customers purchasing more than 10 cans account for 55% of the total, indicating many bulk buyers, causing Budweiser shortages every Friday at stores. CU recently limited the order quantity of the 3-pack to 5 units per day due to a sharp increase in Budweiser orders and started operating 15-pack box units that do not require repackaging from this week to ensure rapid supply.

Foot traffic to convenience stores is also increasing as customers look for cost-effective side dishes amid rising delivery fees. According to CU, refrigerated side dish sales this month grew 42.9% compared to the same period last year. During the tropical night phenomenon last weekend (August 8-10), late-night hours (8 PM to midnight) sales surged by a remarkable 77.9%.

CU operates a variety of side dish series priced under 10,000 won, including Dakgangjeong (9,900 won), suyuk bossam (boiled pork slices, 9,900 won), and golbaengi bibim-myeon (spicy whelk noodles, 8,900 won). Among these, Dakgangjeong sales increased by 44.2% compared to the same period last year.

GS25 also targeted consumers in the high inflation era by launching a direct-grilled gochujang bulgogi side dish product with increased weight at the same price as before. Priced at 5,900 won, it features domestically sourced pork marinated in soy sauce seasoning, grilled on a wire mesh, and served with ssam vegetables and ssamjang (wrap sauce). GS25 switched to direct transactions for purchasing domestic pork and receives ssam vegetables directly from farms to minimize cost increases, participating in price stabilization efforts.

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