Convenience stores in Korea’s popular tourist areas saw an upsurge in sales in summer due to an increase in inbound tours, reports showed Tuesday.

Major convenience store chains 7-Eleven and CU released a report based on a survey of its sales in the nation’s major tourist sites. 


The stores in Jeju Island recorded a 19.4 percent increase in sales in July and August compared to the same period last year. A rise in Chinese visitors contributed to the boost in the local sales, a market analyst said.

Other branches in local tourist attractions also saw an upturn in sales. According to the data, the sales growth in Haeundae in Busan, Gangneung in Gangwon Province, and Taean Peninsula in South Chungcheong Province, stood at 8.4 percent, 12.1 percent and 10.4 percent, respectively.

The most popular item this summer was the packaged meal. It recorded a 146.6 percent increase in sales compared to the previous year. Cold beverages including water, coffee, energy drinks and ice cream also saw increased sales, the CU data showed.

“The overall rise in convenience store sales comes from the recent atmosphere to encourage citizens to vacation inside the nation, in order to revive a sluggish domestic market,” the company official said.

By Song Ji-won (jiwon.song@heraldcorp.com)