200 Cups Sold Per Day... CU Expands "Real Smoothie" Stores

200 More Instant Smoothie Machines to Be Installed Nationwide
Seongsu Dessert Park Store Generates Over 10 Million Won in Smoothie Sales

On April 1, CU announced that it will add 200 more smoothie machines to its stores nationwide, driven by the strong sales of its instant fruit smoothie drink, "Real Smoothie."

CU’s "Real Smoothie" is a beverage made by placing a smoothie cup filled with various fruits—such as watermelon, mango banana, strawberry banana, and mixed berries—into a dedicated smoothie machine, producing a cold smoothie in just one minute. For a reasonable price of 3,000 won, customers can quickly enjoy a refreshing drink made from rapid-frozen fruit that minimizes nutrient loss. With each serving containing fewer than 165 kcal, it is a low-calorie drink that can be enjoyed without guilt.

During last year’s peak season, stores offering the Real Smoothie sold an average of over 30 cups per day, and sales last month increased by 87.4% compared to June of last year, when the product was first introduced.

Among the approximately 80 stores operating the Real Smoothie, locations with the highest sales were found in major tourist areas such as Myeong-dong, Hongdae, and the Han River, as well as in parks, resorts, and universities. During the high season, these locations sold up to an average of 150 cups per day, demonstrating strong popularity. At CU’s "Seongsu Dessert Park," a dessert-specialty store opened in February, 120 cups were sold in a single day despite it being the off-season for cold beverages. Notably, on the first weekend after opening, the store sold more than 200 cups in a single day as domestic and international tourists flocked to Seongsu-dong. Last month, the store sold over 3,000 smoothies, resulting in sales of more than 10 million won.

CU plans to introduce a new specification smoothie machine to enhance food safety and operational convenience. The newly adopted TEAF5 model features a built-in hot water boiler, stainless steel components to minimize residue, automatic high-temperature cleaning, a high-speed blending system, noise reduction, and a more compact design.

Additionally, CU will introduce new smoothie flavors this month to broaden customers' choices.

Kim Dongha, MD of the HMR team at BGF Retail, said, "As the culture of prioritizing health, such as the 'healthy pleasure' trend, intersects with the desire for unique experiences at convenience stores, instant smoothies are gaining popularity. Moving forward, CU will continue to develop creative products to provide more diverse and enjoyable experiences and value to our customers."

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