BGF Retail, which operates the convenience store CU, announced on the 13th that it has launched the new 990 won triangle gimbap "Ttaengcho Eomuk Triangle Gimbap," which is 10 won lower than the previous price of 1000 won. As consumer price sensitivity rises amid high inflation and economic downturn, the competition for extremely low prices has intensified across the retail industry, prompting CU to lower its prices even by 10 won.
According to CU, the sales growth rate of products priced below 1000 won last year was 29.8%. This marks the highest rate in three years.
"Ttaengcho Eomuk Triangle Gimbap" was launched on the 7th. It is an upgraded version of the 1000 won "Maekong Eomuk Triangle Gimbap," which was reintroduced last year after five years. By the end of last year, cumulative sales of the Maekong Eomuk Triangle Gimbap reached 500,000 units.
CU has also launched a cost-efficient ready-to-eat meal called "Memories Lunch Box." This remarkable series offers convenience meals at about half the price of previous offerings and recorded 1.5 million sales from 2023 until last year. Moreover, products priced below 1000 won, such as 880 won cup noodles and 990 won snacks, milk, and vegetables, also sold over 5 million units during the same period. The 290 won capsule coffee introduced last month sold 1000 units within just two weeks of its release.
CU attributes its ability to offer such low-priced products to bulk purchasing of materials and supplies and automation of processes. Kim Jin-hoon, the merchandise planner from BGF Retail's ready-to-eat food team, noted, "We will continue to offer high-quality products at reasonable prices and consistently enhance product competitiveness."