During Holidays, Convenience Stores Serve as Restaurants, Pharmacies, and Banks... Targeting "Honchu" Customers

CU, Last Year’s Chuseok Lunchbox Sales Up 19.2%
Convenience Stores Launch Various Holiday Ready Meals
Discounts and Giveaways Tailored for High Inflation Era
Pharmaceutical Stock Secured and ATM Inspections Completed

A customer is purchasing a premium Korean traditional meal lunchbox released for Chuseok at the convenience store CU.

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] As the number of people spending Chuseok alone at home, known as ‘Honchu-jok,’ increases, convenience stores are replacing the roles of restaurants, pharmacies, and banks that close during the holiday period. This year as well, each company has introduced holiday convenience meals, secured stocks of over-the-counter medicines, and completed inspections of ATMs.

According to CU on the 8th, last year’s Chuseok lunchbox sales increased by 19.2% compared to the previous year. During the same period, GS25 saw a 15.8% increase, Seven Eleven 20%, and Emart24 19%. This year’s Lunar New Year lunchbox sales also rose steadily each year, with CU up 15.2%, GS25 up 17.2%, Seven Eleven up 70%, and Emart24 up 11% compared to the previous year.

Convenience stores are launching various holiday convenience meals. CU partnered with Hanguk-ui Jip to introduce premium Korean set meal lunchboxes such as Sogalbi Hansang (beef short rib set) and Sogogi Goldongban (beef assorted rice bowl). Both products use Hanguk-ui Jip’s signature menus to enhance the quality and composition one step above regular lunchboxes, capturing the specialness of holiday food. GS25 released the Osaek Hangawi lunchbox containing seven side dishes including egg-wrapped five-color bibimbap, assorted jeon (Korean pancakes), chestnut tteokgalbi, assorted nut jorim, and plum pickles, as well as traditional japchae made with glass noodles stir-fried with shiitake mushrooms, carrots, and egg strips. Emart24 sells the Hangawi Hansang lunchbox composed of representative holiday dishes such as assorted jeon, three-colored namul (seasoned vegetables), beef bulgogi, and japchae.

In line with the high inflation era, holiday lunchbox discounts and giveaways are also being held. CU is offering a 50% discount on all lunchbox products this month when purchased with KB Pay or Mirae Asset Pay. GS25 is providing customers who purchase holiday convenience meals with one item of either Birak Sikhye (sweet rice drink) or Goryeo Red Ginseng Extract until the 13th. At Emart24, holiday lunchboxes can be purchased at half price when paid with promotional cards this month.

Convenience stores have also sufficiently prepared over-the-counter medicines such as fever reducers, digestive aids, and cold medicine to replace neighborhood pharmacies. In fact, last year’s Chuseok sales of over-the-counter medicines increased by 12.4% at GS25, 15% at Seven Eleven, and 20% at Emart24 compared to the previous year. ATM inspections were also completed in advance for those needing financial services. Last year’s Chuseok ATM usage increased by 106.7% at GS25 and 10% at Seven Eleven compared to the previous year.

Convenience store parcel services remain popular as they are available during the Chuseok holiday period. Parcels can be sent and picked up directly at convenience stores, with prices only about half that of regular parcel services, ranging from 1,600 to 2,400 KRW. CU Kkiri parcel service usage during last year’s Chuseok increased 40 times compared to the previous year, and GS25 half-price parcel service surged 107.9%. CU Kkiri parcels accept shipments only on Sundays and holidays, while GS25 half-price parcels are available 365 days a year without holidays.

A convenience store industry official said, "In preparation for Chuseok, we have completed not only the role of restaurants but also the stocking of essential medicines and ATM inspections in advance," adding, "We plan to flawlessly perform our social function as an emergency relief and urgent financial service platform for local communities even during the holiday."

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