Mask-free spring heralds high skin care sales at Korean convenience stores

Convenience stores are cashing in on the increased sales of skin and oral care products as Korea welcomes its first mask-free spring in four years.
Sales of products containing collagen rose 355 percent on year between March 20 and April 12.

A customer picks up a salad product that contains collagen at an Emart24 store in downtown Seoul. [EMART24]

Convenience stores are cashing in on the increased sales of skin and oral care products as Korea welcomes its first mask-free spring in four years.

Sales of products containing collagen — a protein found in the body that contributes to skin health — rose 355 percent on year between March 20, the day when the public transportation mask mandate was lifted, and April 12, according to the convenience store Emart24 on Tuesday.

Sales for ready-made meals that contain collagen, such as salads and chicken breasts, have surged 841 percent on year over the same period, and that of collagen drinks by 147 percent. Collagen product sales soared in cram school districts by 1,021 percent and in office districts by 369 percent.

“People paying more attention to skin care can be observed in convenience stores, a shopping channel in close proximity, as the mask mandate is removed at most venues,” a spokesperson for Emart24 said.

Skin care and oral care products were also popular.

Sales of sheet masks jumped 187 percent over the four-week period and sunscreens by 168 percent in Emart24 stores. Toothbrush and toothpaste travel kit sales grew by 217 percent, mouthwash by 103 percent and dental floss by 85 percent.

7-Eleven also logged an increase in sales after March 20. Lip balm sales increased by 200 percent, gum by 70 percent and mouthwash and toothpaste each by 50 percent.

A GS25 store near the Han River [GS25]

More outdoor activities sans the mask mandate also led more customers to convenience stores in search of iced drinks.

CU’s sales of iced drinks between March 20 and Sunday rose 118.4 percent on year. Cups of ice cubes were sold 89.9 percent more, and sales for refrigerated drinks in general rose by double-digits: soft drinks by 17.2 percent, sports drinks by 16.5 percent, beers by 14.8 percent, soju by 14.2 percent and makgeolli (Korean rice wine) by 12.9 percent.

Convenience stores near the Han River — a popular picnic spot for Koreans — saw their sales skyrocket. Sales at twenty GS25 stores in Yeouido and the Han River rose by some three times more than GS25 stores near other tourist sites between March 20 and Sunday.

Picnic-related products led the vault. Sales for ready-to-consume products such as highballs rose 1,299.5 percent on year, sliced fruits by 1,282 percent and ramyeon by 1,062.5 percent.

“Stores near the Han River are enjoying higher sales as more picnickers visit the area under the eased mask policy and warm weather,” a spokesperson for GS25 said.

BY CHOI SUN-EUL [sohn.dongjoo@joongang.co.kr]