CU said on the 24th that it will sharply expand its cosmetics lineup, which it is actively fostering as one of convenience stores' new growth categories, and increase beauty-specialized convenience stores by more than 1,000 next year.
CU's beauty-specialized convenience stores are equipped with beauty-only shelves and sell as many as about 300 products ranging from basic cosmetics such as skin toner and lotion to serums, needle shot, lip tints, moisturizing creams, sheet masks, and acne patches.
Beauty-specialized convenience stores are opening widely, from areas with high demand for cost-effective cosmetics such as university districts, entertainment districts, and office areas to provincial regions where cosmetics purchase options are relatively scarce compared with cities.
CU's year-over-year cosmetics sales growth rate posted 28.3% in 2023, 16.5% in 2024, and 21.4% in 2025 (January–November), maintaining steady growth. About 70% of CU's cosmetics sales came from people in their teens and 20s.
Choi Min-ji, merchandise manager on the household goods team at BGF Retail, said, "As the convenience store cosmetics market grows by the day, rapid product launches and differentiated product operations are becoming key competitive points," adding, "CU's beauty-specialized convenience stores started with about 140 locations at the initial introduction and are set to reach about 500 by the end of this year, and next year they are expected to increase more than two to three times alongside sales growth."