Deli products elbow out TVs in top buying list in Korea amid high prices

Deli products at E-Mart [Source : E-Mart]

Sandwiches, sushi and other ready-to-eat products entered the top 10 of major retail items in South Korea for the first time this year, while TV sets and other home appliances with big price tags dropped out of the list as consumers have started to tighten their belts amid ongoing inflation.

This is the result of sales rankings by item from January to November of this year, which was tracked by E-Mart, Korea’s retail giant.

Due to rising food prices, more people feel burdened by eating out, and office workers prefer to buy lunch at retail stores or convenience stores to save money, a market official said.

The number of customers buying deli products at E-Mart between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm increased by 20 percent compared to last year, according to E-Mart.

Deli product sales also grew by 15.4 percent from the same period last year versus a 3 percent rise in average sales growth of all category products at the retail chain.

Specifically, ready-to-eat salad sales increased 76.6 percent for the first 11 months compared to a year ago. Sales of sandwiches and kimbap also rose by 14.6 percent and 11.3 percent, respectively.

In contrast, sales of washing machines and TVs with heavy prices tags fell out of the top 10 list this year.

Snacks also made it into the list this year, reflecting increased outdoor activities after pandemic restrictions were lifted.