Convenience Stores Swing for the Fences: KBO League Sparks Retail rush
South Korea’s convenience store chains are stepping up to the plate, eager to capitalize on the surging popularity of the Korea Baseball Institution (KBO) League. From collaborative product launches to specialized stores, retailers are strategically leveraging baseball fever to boost sales and customer engagement.
KBO Opening Day Success Fuels Retail Promotions
CU, GS25, 7-eleven, and Emart24 are among the major convenience store players rolling out promotions timed to coincide with the KBO League’s opening. This year’s opening day, held March 22 across five cities, saw a remarkable turnout, with all tickets sold out.A total of 109,950 fans attended the opening games, marking the second-highest attendance in KBO opening day history, just behind the 2019 season’s record of 114,021.
GS25 and Hanwha Eagles Partner for Unique Fan Experience
GS25 has taken its baseball marketing a step further by partnering with the hanwha Eagles to launch a flagship store, “GS25 Hanwha Life Park Branch,” at the team’s stadium. This specialized store aims to offer an enhanced shopping experience for baseball fans.
Convenience Stores Aim for Home Run with Baseball Fans
As the KBO season progresses, expect to see more collaborations and innovative marketing strategies from convenience stores looking to score big with baseball enthusiasts.The competition is heating up both on and off the field,promising a dynamic season for fans and retailers alike.
South Korean Retailers GS25 and CU Launch baseball-Themed Products
south Korean convenience store chains GS25 and CU are tapping into the nation’s baseball fervor with specialized products and stores. These initiatives aim to connect with fans and offer unique merchandise, blending retail with sports culture.
GS25 Opens Hanwha Eagles-Themed Store
GS25 has opened a special store at the Hanwha Life Eagles Park in daejeon,dedicated to the Hanwha Eagles baseball team. This marks the second collaboration store between GS25 and the Hanwha Eagles. The exterior features the team’s mascot, “Suri,” and incorporates the team’s signature orange colour. The interior is designed to evoke the atmosphere of the stadium’s locker room, offering popular merchandise such as uniforms, tumblers, bats, and gloves. Over 60 types of merchandise are available, including exclusive GS25XHanwha Eagles products.
CU Introduces Doosan Bears-inspired Ice Cream Bar
CU has launched the ‘yeonsel milk Bear Mountain Fresh Cream Bar’, a collaborative product with the Doosan Bears.Released on July 18, the ice cream bar draws inspiration from the Doosan Bears fans, known for their dedication to eating well. The navy-colored bar represents the Doosan Bears’ team colors.
Korean Convenience Stores launch Innovative Food & Drink Combos, Driving Sales
Korean convenience stores are experiencing a surge in sales thanks to the introduction of unique and appealing food and beverage combinations. New product innovations are capturing consumer attention, driving digital sales and overall revenue growth.
Mouthwatering Milk Cream Buns Drive Sales
One standout product is a rich milk cream bun, crafted with dense, chewy Greek yogurt cream and topped with a fresh blueberry jam. The base of the bun utilizes a popular milk cream recipe. These cream buns have proven incredibly popular, selling 1.2 million units in just six days and propelling CU’s digital sales to the top spot. This surge has also boosted CU’s overall digital sales by 19.4% within a single week.
“Pop Chicken”: A Refreshing Twist on Fried Chicken and Cola
Adding to the wave of innovative pairings, 7-Eleven has introduced “Pop Chicken,” designed to add fun to the experience of watching games. Pop Chicken combines chicken bites with a refreshing cola beverage in a convenient container. Marketed under the concept of “Col-Pop” (Cola + Pop Chicken),it’s designed for easy enjoyment during sporting events and outdoor activities.
Anticipated Sales Boom: “Pop Chicken” Targets Baseball Fans
With the baseball season underway, 7-Eleven anticipates strong sales of Pop Chicken, especially among fans attending games. The convenient and shareable snack-and-drink combination is expected to resonate well with consumers.
E-Mart Sees Sales Surge during Professional Baseball Season
E-Mart24 experienced a 30% increase in instant food sales during the professional baseball season (March 23 – April 22) compared to the previous month. Additionally, in the newly renovated E-Mart mobile app, instant food orders jumped 15% during the first week of the renovation (March 18-24) in the “Pick-up” service.
E-Mart24 Partners With Shinsegae Group for ’Landers Shopping Festa’
E-Mart24 is participating in the large-scale discount event, “Landers Shopping Festa,” organized by Shinsegae Group in conjunction with the professional baseball season.
Discounts and Promotions Available on Popular Items
From April 4th to April 13th, E-Mart24 is offering 1+1 deals and discounts on 70 popular items, including snacks, beverages, ice cream, and beer.
“Night Sales” event Offers Additional Savings
During the event period, “Night Sales” will also take place, offering discounted prices on fresh food items for purchases made with Samsung Pay between 6 PM and 12 AM.
Professional Baseball Drives Convenience Store Sales
According to industry experts, professional baseball is a popular sport that attracts a lot of convenience store customers. The ongoing popularity of baseball will likely continue to drive sales.
Coupang Doubles Down on discounts Amid Growth Concerns
SEOUL – South Korean e-commerce giant Coupang is intensifying its focus on promotional activities and product development as it seeks to reignite growth momentum in a challenging market.The company is proactively implementing new strategies to maintain its competitive edge.
aggressive Promotions and Expanded Product Range
Faced with concerns about slowing growth, Coupang is reportedly doubling down on discount strategies in an attempt to attract and retain customers. This approach involves expanding its product offerings and increasing the frequency and appeal of promotional campaigns.
Strategic Shift to Boost Performance
This strategic adjustment reflects Coupang’s commitment to navigating the evolving e-commerce landscape and addressing any potential slowdown in its growth trajectory. Further details of these initiatives are expected to be revealed in the coming months as the company implements these changes.
Beyond increased sales figures, how are convenience stores building brand loyalty through these KBO League collaborations?
Convenience Stores and Baseball: A Winning Combination – Q&A
Here’s a breakdown of how South Korean convenience stores are capitalizing on the KBO League’s popularity:
Q&A
Q: What’s the main strategy convenience stores are using to leverage the KBO League?
A: They’re launching baseball-themed products, opening specialized stores, and running promotions timed with the season’s start and during games.
Q: Which convenience stores are heavily involved?
A: CU, GS25, 7-Eleven, and E-Mart24 are the major players.
Q: Give me an example of a specialized store.
A: GS25 opened a Hanwha Eagles-themed store at the hanwha Life Park, offering team merchandise and an immersive fan experience. This is their second collaboration with the team.
Q: What kind of products are being launched?
A: From ice cream to chicken and cola combos,convenience stores are creating baseball-themed food and beverage items.CU released a Doosan Bears-inspired ice cream bar, and 7-Eleven introduced “Pop Chicken” (chicken bites with a cola drink) specifically for game days.
Q: What kind of sales increases are they seeing?
A: E-Mart24 saw a 30% increase in instant food sales. CU’s digital sales jumped 19.4% in a week thanks to the milk cream buns, selling 1.2 million units in six days.
Q: Why is this strategy working so well?
A: Baseball is incredibly popular in South Korea. These stores are integrating themselves into the fan experience,offering convenience and creating a strong connection between the sport and retail.
Q: What are some other interesting details?
A: the opening day of the KBO League this year had the second-highest attendance in KBO opening day history, with nearly 110,000 fans attending games. E-Mart24 is also a part of the “Landers Shopping Festa,” a large discount event.
Q: How does Coupang fit into all of this?
A: While not directly related to baseball, Coupang is focusing on increased promotions and product development to maintain its growth in the e-commerce market, similar to how convenience stores are trying to increase their sales with the baseball season.
So, next time you’re at a South Korean convenience store, look out for those baseball-themed treats—they’re a home run for both the stores and the fans!
