"Gold Bar Worth 3.9 Million Won Sold"…2030s Seeking Ultra-Luxury Chuseok Gifts at Convenience Stores

GS25 Sells 'Pure Gold Bar' for 3.92 Million Won
CU, 7-Eleven, and Emart24 Also Making Strides
"Influence of Nearby Distribution and Unique Gift Trends"

This Chuseok, unique and high-priced gift sets released by major convenience stores (CU, GS25, Seven Eleven, Emart24) are quietly gaining word-of-mouth popularity. Although sales have not exploded yet, 3.9 million KRW pure gold bars and 2 million KRW travel packages have been selling steadily, and inquiries about these products are pouring in.

GS25's Released '1 Trillion Won Gold Check'
[Photo by GS Retail]

According to GS Retail on the 8th, GS25's pure gold bar (37.5g), launched as a Chuseok gift set on the 29th of last month, recently sold for 3,926,000 KRW. The pure gold bars were released by GS25 considering the trend of unique gifts and the 'gold tech' craze, and were offered in 13 types ranging from 1g to 37.5g. The 37.5g bar is the most expensive among them and is characterized by being made as the '1 trillion won gold check,' symbolizing wealth and luck. All 13 types of gold bars released by GS25 have sold about 250 units in total, and there is considerable demand for other high-priced unique gifts, such as a 4-night, 5-day Saipan World Resort voucher sold for 2,631,000 KRW.

CU is also selling high-priced products worth around 1 million KRW. Samsung vacuum cleaners and TVs, released as filial piety products, are sold for 1 million KRW and 1.2 million KRW respectively, and a 30-year-old Ballantine's whiskey is traded at 1.3 million KRW, showing strong sales of high-priced holiday gifts. The best-selling product is the Cosima massage chair. Due to last year's positive response, the Cosima massage chair was released again this year and recently sold five units at around 1.8 million KRW each.

Seven Eleven's travel products, in collaboration with Norangpungseon, are the trend. Since the 29th of last month, travel packages ranging from overseas destinations such as Hokkaido, Japan, and Guam to domestic destinations like Ulleungdo and Jeju Island have been released, with over 30 units sold. Prices vary from a minimum of 300,000 KRW to a maximum of 1 million KRW. As part of premium products, two types of pure gold bars (1 don and 10 don) were also sold about 80 times. Emart24 sold the Casamia Worcester single recliner for 890,000 KRW.

The popularity of high-priced and unique gifts at convenience stores is influenced by recent consumption trends and the craze for unique gifts. There is a clear preference for nearby distribution channels recently, and especially among younger generations, demand for unique gifts is increasing. In the past, people often went to department stores or large supermarkets to buy holiday gifts, but recently, the tendency to purchase such gifts at closer and more convenient convenience stores has increased. Experts see a synergy effect as the consumption trend of the 20s and 30s generation seeking memorable and unique gifts aligns with the convenience store industry's unique gift marketing.

Professor Eunhee Lee of Inha University's Department of Consumer Studies analyzed, "The reason for purchasing holiday gifts at convenience stores rather than department stores or large supermarkets is primarily because convenience stores serve as nearby distribution channels, allowing faster and easier product purchases." She added, "Moreover, convenience stores are releasing various unique gifts while offering multiple discount benefits, so it seems that a considerable number of young consumers deliberately visit convenience stores to buy fun gifts at affordable prices."

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