South Korea’s convenience stores ramp up liquor store openings

CU’s liquor stores enjoy higher alcohol sales than its other stores.

South Korean convenience store chains have been placing a bigger focus on developing specialty stores, particularly liquor stores aimed at attracting more customers by providing unique consumption experiences, Korea Bizwire reported.

GS25, for instance, currently operates four types of flagship stores, including café-type stores, liquor-centered stores, and finance-specialized stores.

The liquor-centered store established in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province in March is furnished with 1,000 different types of liquor, including 600 different types of wine and 300 different types of western liquor. Alcoholic beverages account for about 65% of the store’s total sales.

CU is also running two liquor-specialized stores where sales of wine and imported liquors are about 8.8 times and 12.6 times higher, respectively, than at other stores, the company said

At the same time, 7-Eleven opened a “Wine Studio” in Gangnam, Seoul at the end of last year. With the second floor offering a variety of liquors, the store sells about 300 different types of wine, champagne, whisky, and traditional liquor.

E-Mart24 also recently opened a new concept store, one-third of which is packed with a variety of types of liquor and side dishes, in the eastern Gangdong district.