Seven-Eleven said on the 25th it released two new K-food products tailored to the steadily growing number of foreign tourists. It is also expanding K-culture experience spaces.
With the popularity of Korean Wave content and the Korean food boom, foreign tourist numbers are rising, and Seven-Eleven's related sales are on an upward trend. From this year through on the 24th, sales to foreign tourists increased 60% year over year, hitting a record high. In particular, the growth rate in core commercial districts such as Myeong-dong and Hongdae was tallied at 70%.
Seven-Eleven launched two new products, yogurt and makgeolli, based on spending data from foreign tourists. Yogurt sales this month more than tripled year over year, making it one of the best-selling items along with banana milk, and traditional liquor sales also rose by about 10%.
The new yogurt product is "Strawberry Compote Greek Yogurt" (4,900 won), the convenience store's newly offered flavor of YOZM Yogurt. It is a classic-style Greek yogurt with plain Greek yogurt on top of strawberry compote with chunks of fruit, and by using strawberries, a representative winter fruit, it broadened the choices for foreigners.
"Alttalmak" (6,900 won) is a strawberry-flavored makgeolli that delivers a rich and smooth taste like strawberry yogurt. Made with domestically grown rice and strawberries, it is a premium traditional liquor with no added sweeteners that offers a natural sweetness. With its deep yogurt-based flavor, it is easy to enjoy for foreigners and female consumers who want a light introduction to Korean traditional liquor.
Seven-Eleven is not only releasing new products but also expanding K-culture experience spaces. It is increasing stores equipped with K-pop goods, hands-on content, and photo booths. The New Wave Myeong-dong branch, which opened in Oct., features a ramen zone, Who'sfan store, gacha zone, and souvenir zone, drawing more foreign tourist visits.