At convenience stores that replace local supermarkets, products sold for less than 500 won have disappeared. As the level of consumption increased, convenience stores began to sell wine and premium fruits, improving the quality of the product assortment. Global inflation that has continued since last year also had an impact. It has become difficult to find ‘junk food’ that stimulates adults’ memories on offline channels.
According to the domestic convenience store industry on the 23rd, there are less than 10 types of food that are less than 500 won at the normal sales price. Considering that each convenience store handles an average of 2,000 to 3,000 items, it is regarding 0.3%.
Mini Mentos (200 won), Chupa Chups candy (250 won), Haribo Goldbaren Mini (350 won), Twix Mini Chocolate (400 won), Seoju Nachoco/Namango Ice Cream (400 won), 1 Choco Pie (450 won) and so on. These products are mainly placed in front of the checkout counter because there is not much price resistance.
The so-called ‘junk food’ snacks that were sold for 200-300 won at the stationery store in front of the school have long since surpassed 500 won at convenience stores. Apollo (35g, 700 won in 2019 → 800 won in recent years) and pumpkin nectar-flavored jjondugi (100g, 900 won → 1500 won) have risen in price since their introduction in stores, and best friend candy (46g, 1500 won) and field dureong (45g, 700 won) Won), and Kdrama (48g, 700 won) are also sold at a higher price than Crown Sour Sweet or Orion Wow Gum (more than 500 won).
An official from the convenience store industry explained, “Considering product quality, only some symbolic retro products began to be sold around 2019.”
Substandard foods manufactured using corn, palm oil, and synthetic flavoring agents have been on an overall upward trend since last year. According to Enuri.com, a price comparison site, among the products classified as ‘poor food’, ‘Chakani’ had the highest rate of increase in price over the past six months.
The snack, manufactured by Indonesian food manufacturer Tanra Jaya PT, is 497 won per bag (36g), up 54.5% from 321 won six months ago. Apollo from Guangdong Baeksheng Foods in China rose 13.16% to 430 won per bag (35g).
Mr. C, who has been running a snack wholesale business in Daegu for more than 30 years, said, “Due to logistics costs, prices have risen mainly for products imported from abroad.” “There are a lot of cases where people make individual inquiries,” he explained.
Hankyung Reporter hankyung@hankyung.com
