World Cup Round of 16 Boost... Convenience Stores See Sales Surge During Portugal Match (Comprehensive)

CU, Beer Sales Increase by 155.2%
Sales Surge at Stores Near Gwanghwamun
Sales Up Even After Game Ends
'Quarterfinals Wish' Food Discount Event Also Held

CU is holding a customer promotion to celebrate the South Korea national football team's advancement to the round of 16 and to support their bid for the quarterfinals. (Photo by BGF Retail)

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] On the day the South Korean national soccer team secured their advancement to the Round of 16 by defeating Portugal, convenience store sales saw a significant increase.

According to CU on the 4th, beer sales from 6 PM to midnight on the 2nd increased by 155.2% compared to two weeks before the World Cup opening. Wine sales rose by 124.5%, distilled liquor by 121.1%, soju by 120.1%, and Makgeolli by 110.1%. Fried chicken (193.2%), dried snacks (161.3%), refrigerated instant meals (170.8%), and processed meat products (114.9%) also recorded high sales growth rates. At GS25, sales of beer (121.3%), chicken (124.7%), snacks (99.0%), and hand warmers (327.3%) increased significantly.

At 7-Eleven, chicken sales increased by 70% compared to three weeks ago. Snacks (45%), dried snacks (50%), beer (70%), and refrigerated and frozen convenience foods (60%) also sold well. At Emart24, sales of simple snacks (92%), wine (83%), refrigerated and frozen snacks (82%), and beer (81%) increased compared to two weeks ago.

Sales at stores near Gwanghwamun Square, where street cheering events were held, also rose sharply. At CU, sales of hand warmers increased 11.5 times, instant brewed coffee 8.8 times, single-cup beverages 7.1 times, and disposable batteries 7.4 times. At 7-Eleven, beer sales increased 11 times, mats 10 times, dried snacks 8 times, and snacks 4 times. GS25 saw sales at 10 stores near Gwanghwamun surge by up to 64.6%.

After the Round of 16 qualification was confirmed, sales continued to rise even after the match ended. According to CU, sales began to increase by 28.4% from 9 PM, three hours before the game started, and surged to 75.6% by 11 PM. Sales decreased by 9.7% from midnight to 2 AM during the game but peaked again at 111.9% from 2 AM to 3 AM as people returned to convenience stores.

Customers are purchasing products at Emart24 near Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul. (Photo by Emart24)

Convenience stores are holding promotions to support the World Cup quarterfinals. CU is offering a discount on beer, selling 4 cans for 10,000 won instead of 11,000 won from the 5th to 6th, and applying a special discount of 5 cans for 10,000 won on 21 Beer Day products. GS25 will sell 4 cans of beer for 10,000 won on the 5th and run a QR event offering 50% off on Thonsal chicken when purchasing promotional products. Emart24 will sell 8 types of food items, including fried chicken, lunch boxes, kimbap, sandwiches, and hamburgers, in collaboration with the Korea Football Association (KFA) at half price when paid with Hyundai Card on the 5th and 6th.

An industry official said, “As a miracle happened in Qatar and our national team advanced to the Round of 16, many people visited convenience stores late into the night, still basking in the victory’s afterglow,” adding, “We will actively support the national cheering campaign by preparing various customer promotions so that fans can continue to cheer for the team during the main tournament.”

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