"When the 5,000-Won Price Hit, Everyone Rushed In"... Sold Out the Moment People Wondered "Why Is This So Cheap?" [Way We Shop Now]

Daiso’s New Keyboard and Mouse Sell Out Immediately After Launch
Bluetooth and Ergonomic Design for Just 5,000 Won Spreads by Word of Mouth
“Great Value” vs “Not Suitable as a Main Device”

Editor's NoteWhat are people buying these days? From everyday essentials that are a must-have at Daiso, to cosmetics that sell out at Olive Young, and even bread that people line up to buy. These familiar scenes of consumption offer a direct reflection of the current market trends. The series explores today’s consumer trends by looking at “best-selling items” in daily life. Which products are chosen and what strategies actually get people to open their wallets? We break down the changing landscape of consumption in a way that's easy and engaging to understand.

A Daiso store located in Jongno-gu.

Daiso, a fixed-price household goods retailer, continues its rapid growth, while IT devices offered at ultra-low prices are also gaining popularity. The low-noise Bluetooth keyboard and vertical mouse are prime examples. Both products have gone viral as “value-for-money items,” offering essential functions at a price point of around 5,000 won. The trend of “value-for-money consumption” is now expanding beyond beauty and fashion to include electronics as well.

According to the retail industry on April 17, since their launch at the end of February, it has been difficult to find these products in stock both at physical stores nationwide and online. The pattern of stock selling out quickly after arrival continues, prompting some consumers to visit multiple stores in search of inventory. In fact, sales in the PC peripherals category—including Bluetooth keyboards and low-noise or vertical mice—have increased by about 50% year-on-year.

"This Price Is Good Enough"... Demand Driven by Value-for-Money

The main factor behind their popularity is value for money—quality relative to price. As high inflation persists, consumers are tending to reduce spending while trying to maintain utility. Daiso has accurately targeted this demand by continuing to improve quality while maintaining its fixed-price policy of 1,000 to 5,000 won.

The keyboard features Bluetooth connectivity and a low-noise design, while the mouse adopts a vertical shape to reduce wrist strain. The fact that Daiso offers what other brands sell for tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of won at only 5,000 won has sparked consumer interest. Across various social networking services (SNS), reviews such as “This is more than enough for beginners” and “Great as a secondary device” are common.

Low-noise Bluetooth keyboard (left) and low-noise vertical mouse sold at Daiso Mall. Screenshot from Daiso Mall

"I Bought It Because It's Cheap"... Changing Standards in IT Consumption

On the other hand, there are also many opinions pointing out shortcomings such as the typing feel or durability. Comments like “It’s hard to use as a main device” and “Don’t expect the quality of a premium brand product” have followed.

However, these reviews also reflect a shift in consumer standards. Instead of using a single, high-quality product for a long time, more people are now opting for affordable products tailored to specific situations. Practical consumption—choosing reasonable products according to needs rather than insisting on particular brands—is becoming more widespread.

From Household Goods to Electronics

Daiso has recently expanded its lineup by launching various IT products such as Bluetooth speakers and earphones. This represents a shift from a focus on household goods to an expansion into electronics.

By emphasizing an ultra-low price strategy, Daiso encourages consumers’ “first purchases” and lowers the entry barrier. These items are also popular for “test consumption”—trying out a product before committing to a more expensive one.

Netizens' reactions to Daiso's announcement of the launch of the 'Low Noise Bluetooth Keyboard.' Photo by X Capture

In this way, Daiso is expanding its influence from household goods to the electronics market as well. The industry views this expansion as a strengthening of Daiso's retail competitiveness across both online and offline channels.

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