"Oh, what I saw on my trip to Japan is here".. Convenience Store 'Direct Sourcing Battle'

[Financial News] As demand for overseas travel returns to pre-COVID-19 levels, the convenience store industry is igniting a 'direct sourcing competition'. They are directly importing popular overseas snacks or local specialty desserts to tap into the consumption experience of overseas travelers. 
According to the industry on the 30th, GS25 partnered with Japan's leading discount store 'Don Quijote' to open the first domestic pop-up store at The Hyundai Seoul in Yeouido, Seoul, which has attracted over 25,000 visitors in 17 days since its opening. The pop-up, which started on the 8th, is limited to 600 teams per day, and entry is closing early around 2 PM every day since its opening. They are showcasing a collection of 'Jonetsu' products, Don Quijote's private brand (PB), and collaboration goods using both companies' characters.
The best-selling items at the pop-up match the top-selling items at Don Quijote in Japan, successfully bringing the consumption experience of traveling in Japan to the domestic market.
Additionally, GS25 has directly purchased 'Naturals Whole Potato' and 'Real Price Takoyaki' sold by Japanese distributors this year. From January to July 22 this year, GS25's overseas direct sourcing product sales surged 119.5% compared to the same period last year.
A GS25 representative said, "In the case of GS25's overseas sourcing product planners (MDs), they increase opportunities to encounter products through more than 10 overseas business trips per year and directly visit manufacturers to discuss production processes, quality checks, and import plans." They added, "We are focusing on sourcing famous products from various countries to introduce them domestically in advance while also exporting our excellent products overseas."
7-Eleven has formed a strategic collaboration with Japan's leading confectionery company 'Fujiya', known for 'Peko Milky Candy'. They directly source new products that are seasonally limited in Japan to match the release timing domestically. Additionally, Japan's 'Jersey Milk Pudding', which caused a sell-out frenzy in December last year, has sold over 1 million units in seven months since its direct sourcing release, maintaining the top spot in the dessert category.
CU, after forming the industry's first Global Trading Team in 2017, has imported over 400 types of overseas products to date. CU's direct sourcing product sales have shown steady growth, increasing by 20.6% in 2022, 28.7% in 2023, and 15.7% in 2024 compared to the previous year. The representative product 'Mogu Mogu Juice (Thailand)' underwent negotiations for over two months for exclusive domestic sourcing and has sold over 40 million bottles to date. Recently, CU exclusively directly sourced the popular Japanese convenience store dessert 'Hokkaido Souffle Pudding', releasing a limited total of 160,000 units. A CU representative said, "Hokkaido Souffle Pudding sold 30,000 units in just five days, quickly drawing consumer response."
Lee Eunhee, a professor of consumer studies at Inha University, analyzed, "The increasing interest in overseas travel among Korean consumers over the past few years, along with the active sharing of 'overseas travel shopping recommendations' on social media (SNS), is leading to demand for direct sourcing products."



localplace@fnnews.com Kim Hyunji Reporter