"Sales Soared 500%"—Both Koreans and Foreigners Flocked In... Convenience Stores Near BTS Concert Thrived

CU Stores Near Concert Venue See Sales Surge by 547.8% Week-on-Week

GS25: Five Nearby Stores Record 233% Growth

Seven-Eleven: 40 Locations Double Sales Compared to Previous Week

Emart24: Sales Jump Up to 301% at Nearby Stores

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With both domestic and international audiences flocking to the comeback performance of BTS, convenience stores near Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, where the concert was held, recorded sales increases of over 500%, enjoying an unprecedented boom.

The CU convenience store near Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul is bustling with foreign visitors on the 21st, when the BTS comeback concert took place. Provided by BGF Retail

According to industry sources on March 22, CU convenience stores operated by BGF Retail saw sales at major CU outlets in the Gwanghwamun Square area rise by an average of three times and up to more than six times compared to the previous week, due to the BTS concert held the previous day. Specifically, sales at ten stores near Gwanghwamun jumped 270.9%, while three stores located on the main road closest to the concert venue experienced an explosive 547.8% increase in sales.

By product category, beverage sales soared: bottled water rose by 831.4%, iced drinks by 813.4%, processed milk by 508.4%, coffee by 460.8%, tea beverages by 436.6%, sports and ion drinks by 396.9%, and carbonated drinks by 285.9%. Food items also saw dramatic growth, with kimbap up 1380.4%, sandwiches 1146.7%, triangle kimbap 884.3%, and bread 412.4%. Yogurt increased by 639.7%, sausages by 533.3%, biscuits and cookies by 515.4%, snacks by 311.9%, ice cream by 311.0%, and chocolate by 250.2%.

The top-selling products at CU stores near Gwanghwamun were all BTS albums for ranks one through four. Additionally, 3A batteries (packs of four), which are needed for light sticks, ranked fifth in sales.

Foreign visitors are waiting to pay at a GS25 convenience store near Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on the 21st, the day BTS held their comeback performance. Provided by GS Retail

At GS25 convenience stores operated by GS Retail, sales at five stores near Gwanghwamun grew by 233.1% compared to the same day of the previous week, with the number of customers increasing by 181.2%. The store most closely located to the concert venue saw its sales surge by up to 378.4%.

By product, sales of ready-to-eat foods such as kimbap (379.1%), rice balls (290.0%), sandwiches (309.0%), and bread (560.7%) increased significantly. Beverage and snack sales also rose, with bottled water up 541.8%, coffee drinks 255.5%, snacks 333.5%, and milk 240.6%. Due to the long hours of outdoor waiting, sales of practical items such as hot packs (5698.8%), portable battery packs (2016.9%), and batteries (3530.8%) also soared.

Sales of IGIN highball, for which BTS member Jin is the global ambassador, rose by 1742.3% compared to the same day of the previous week. In addition, three types of IGIN keyrings and one type of IGIN perfume, specially prepared to commemorate the event, generated sales of over 10 million won.

At Seven-Eleven convenience stores operated by Korea Seven, sales at 40 outlets near Gwanghwamun on the previous day increased by 100.7% compared to the previous Saturday, and by 117% compared to the same period last month.

By item, instant foods increased by 2534.3%, batteries by 836.9%, hot packs by 319.2%, bread by 226.6%, ready meals such as kimbap by 212%, and prepared bread by 173.2%, all showing significant growth compared to the prior week.

On the 21st, convenience store Emart24 near Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul is bustling with both domestic and international visitors in celebration of the group BTS's comeback performance. Provided by Emart24

Additionally, Emart24 convenience stores, affiliated with the Shinsegae Group, saw sales at 36 outlets across the Gwanghwamun and Jongno areas climb by 39% compared to the previous week, and by 33% compared to the same period last month. The store with the highest week-on-week sales saw a 301% increase.

By product, sales rose across the board: batteries (400%), wet wipes (260%), beer (180%), ramen (both packet and cup types, 160%), side dishes for drinks (130%), mobile phone chargers and cables (120%), hot packs (70%), bottled water (62%), kimbap (50%), and triangle kimbap (45%). In addition, signature K-food items such as banana-flavored milk and Biyotte yogurt saw increased sales, particularly among foreign tourists.

An industry official stated, "This concert was more than just an event — it drove consumption throughout the city and demonstrated a positive economic ripple effect even in challenging domestic and international circumstances. Serving as a promotional platform for K-convenience stores and Korean consumer culture to foreign customers, it became a turning point that is expected to change the mood in the retail industry this year."

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