Cherry Blossom Season Approaches... Sales at Popular Spots Surge Up to 335%

As the cherry blossom season approaches, an analysis revealed that sales at cherry blossom hotspots can increase by up to 300% compared to usual.

Last March, citizens visiting the Yeouiseo-ro area in Seoul enjoyed the spring atmosphere. Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

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On the 24th, KB Kookmin Card analyzed 380,000 sales data records from about 6,300 restaurants, cafes and dessert shops, and convenience stores near 42 major cherry blossom spots nationwide last year. The area with the highest sales growth rate was Ssanggyesa in Hadong, which saw a 335% increase. This compares sales from the two weeks before the cherry blossom blooming date to the two weeks after. Other areas with sales increases of over 100% included Incheon Grand Park (112%), Daejeon Daecheong Dam (103%), Ulsan Jakcheonjeong (109%), and Cheongyang Janggoksa (100%).

Last year, the analysis focused on major cherry blossom festivals in places like Seoul (Yeouido, Seokchon Lake), Gyeongpo, Jinhae, and Gyeongju, whereas this year it targeted cherry blossom spots with high inflows of external tourists by region. Cherry blossoms reach full bloom about a week after the blooming date.

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Looking at sales proportions by generation in cherry blossom hotspot areas, people in their 20s showed the highest sales shares at Pohang Yeongildae (40%), Gapyeong Daeseongri Station (35%), and Gyeongju Gyerim Forest (34%). Those in their 30s led sales at Daejeon Daecheong Dam (35%), Jinju Jinyang Lake (35%), and Hanam Misa Park (29%). For the 40s age group, Yesan Agro Land (33%), Cheongju Sangdang Fortress (27%), and Daejeon Bongsan-dong Cherry Blossom Road (26%) ranked highest. People in their 50s had high sales shares at Imsil Okjeong Lake (33%), Gurye Seomjingang (32%), and Seosan Gaesimsa (31%), while those aged 60 and above showed high sales at Cheongyang Janggoksa (38%), Incheon Grand Park (34%), and Imsil Okjeong Lake (32%).

Among major cherry blossom spots, places with high sales proportions from external visitors included Gapyeong Daeseongri Station (95%) in the Gyeongin area, Gangneung Gyeongpodae (92%) in the Gangwon area, Seosan Gaesimsa (99%) in the Chungcheong area, Imsil Okjeong Lake (96%) in the Honam area, and Hadong Ssanggyesa (96%) in the Yeongnam area.

Sales at coffee specialty shops nationwide in cherry blossom spots increased significantly, with Ulsan Jakcheonjeong in the Gyeongsang area showing a 220% rise. Other notable increases were seen at Yeongam Wolchulsan (176%), Jinhae Yeojuacheon (150%), Gapyeong Daeseongri Station (141%), Incheon Grand Park (121%), Gyeongju Bomun Tourist Complex (117%), and Gangneung Gyeongpodae (95%).

A representative from KB Kookmin Card’s Data Business Group said, “Ahead of the full cherry blossom season, we analyzed popular cherry blossom spots using last year’s data. We hope that this year, too, people will create wonderful memories with their loved ones at various cherry blossom spots where they can fully enjoy the spring atmosphere.”

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