Koreans "tighten their belts"

SGGPO May 23, 2023 11:06

The growing number of consumers in the land of kimchi turning to affordable boxed lunches is seen as an alternative amid rising consumer prices.

Statistics from Hansot - Korea's largest bento franchise brand - show that bulk orders for bento boxes in the first 15 days of May increased by 35% compared to the same period in 2022. The increasing number of consumers in the land of kimchi switching to affordable bento lunches is seen as an alternative in the context of rising consumer prices.

According to the National Statistical Office of Korea, the food price index in April 2023 was 117.15 points, increasing for the 29th consecutive month since December 2020, creating a significant burden on consumers. According to Hansot, the increase in the number of orders in the first 15 days of May only included orders of 20 lunch boxes worth 100,000 won or more (about 76 USD), so the increase could be even greater when including small orders under 100,000 won and family orders.

Hansot's lunch box Photo: THE KOREA HERALD

At convenience stores, lunch box sales also recorded a significant increase. CU, a popular convenience store brand in Korea, announced the results of its analysis of convenience food consumption trends during the lunch hour (11am - 1pm), in which lunch boxes led in sales.

Convenience store chain GS25 has partnered with actress Kim Hye-ja to relaunch the Kim Hye-ja Lunch Box project in early 2023. This item is very popular with consumers in Korea, with sales reaching 3 million boxes in just 2 months after its relaunch in mid-February 2023 and in the past 3 weeks, an additional 1 million boxes have been sold.

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/nguoi-han-quoc-that-lung-buoc-bung-post690769.html