It was found that convenience stores near Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, where a street cheering event took place on the 12th when the Korea national soccer team came from behind to beat the Czech Republic in the first match of the World Cup group stage, enjoyed a sales boom.
According to BGF Retail on the 13th, sales at about 10 CU stores near Gwanghwamun on the 12th increased 3.4 times from a week earlier.
By major product, ice rose 6.1 times (510.3%), iced drinks 6 times (495.8%), sports and ion beverages 5.8 times (480.9%), ice cream 5.1 times (409.2%), bottled water 4.9 times (394.7%), and beer 4.1 times (310.1%).
In addition, sales of ready-to-eat foods also rose across the board, with kimbap up 3.1 times (214.3%), samgak kimbap up 3 times (202.5%), and sandwiches up 2.8 times (183.1%).
As the outdoor street cheering was held, categories such as portable batteries 7.4 times (640.2%), cables and other mobile phone accessories 6.3 times (525.5%), picnic mats 5.1 times (410.1%), wet wipes 5 times (396.4%), and sunscreen 2.6 times (160.3%) also posted a high growth rate.
Sales on the 12th at GS25 stores near Gwanghwamun operated by GS Retail increased 25.1% from a week earlier. Narrowing the window to 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., before and after the match, the growth rate was 85.7%.
By key item, the growth rate for nonalcoholic beer sales was about 14.6 times (1,367.8%). Beer sales grew about 5.9 times (490.6%), and soju about 2.8 times (178.3%).
In addition, snacks 3.5 times (254.8%), chicken 2.6 times (158.7%), ice cups 5 times (401.9%), bar snacks 87.5%, and wet wipes 81.1% were found to be popular items.
Sales on the 12th at 10 Seven-Eleven stores near Gwanghwamun Square increased 4.2 times (318%) between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.
In particular, beer sales jumped 180 times. In addition, the growth rate for ion beverages rose 9.7 times (871%), ice 6.2 times (521%), bottled water 5.1 times (411%), and chilled desserts 3.7 times (268%), bringing the growth rate for chilled foods to 3.3 times (234%).
At a Seven-Eleven store near Yeouido, where Korea Investment & Securities Co. installed a cheering stage with about 1,200 seats, sales from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. the previous day doubled from a week earlier.
Sales at E-MART24 stores near Gwanghwamun increased 59% from a week earlier.
Sandwich sales rose 142%, followed by hamburgers (128%), bread (96%), and samgak kimbap (60%) with high growth rates.
Pouch drinks increased 104%, carbonated and sports drinks 77%, and bottled water 40%. Beer sales rose 3.2 times (218%) from the previous week.
A convenience store industry official said, "Although this World Cup features the national team's matches during weekday daytime hours, crowds have flocked to Gwanghwamun where street cheering is held, pushing nearby convenience store sales far above normal," adding, "We will enhance customer convenience through various discount promotions."