Beer sales at convenience stores near World Cup fan zone jump over 2,000%

Sales of beer, water, beverages and ready-to-eat meals surged at convenience stores near Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on Thursday, when South Korea played its third group-stage match at the North America World Cup and fans packed the area for a public viewing event.

GS25 said Friday that overall sales at its stores near Gwanghwamun Square jumped 162.5 percent compared with the same day the previous week, Wednesday, June 18.

Alcohol led the surge by category. Non-alcoholic beer sales jumped 2,053.3 percent, domestic beer climbed 1,561.0 percent and highball products rose 1,272.5 percent — each more than 10 to 20 times their week-earlier levels.

Beer snacks and side dishes soared 863.5 percent and snacks rose 338.9 percent. Hangover-relief drinks also stood out, with sales up 164.4 percent.

Carbonated drinks climbed 300.1 percent, canned and bottled coffee beverages rose 278.9 percent, and chicken products were up 175.7 percent. Ready-to-eat meals gained 111.0 percent and bakery items rose 100.0 percent.

Portable battery packs and other mobile phone accessories also sold well, up 153.3 percent.

CU reported similar trends at about 10 of its stores near Gwanghwamun. Ice sales jumped 310.2 percent compared with a week earlier, bottled water rose 307.8 percent, sports drinks climbed 266.8 percent, iced drinks gained 222.0 percent and ice cream was up 148.4 percent.

Beer sales at CU stores rose 105.1 percent, while ready-to-eat items also sold strongly — triangle kimbap gained 122.8 percent, sandwiches rose 88.5 percent and kimbap climbed 85.2 percent.

Snacks rose 78.2 percent, bread gained 85.2 percent, desserts climbed 98.8 percent and beer snacks were up 67.2 percent.

Picnic mats sold 212.4 percent more than the week before, and portable battery packs rose 100.8 percent.