'Small Capacity, Ultra-Low Price'... CU Strengthens 'Health + Beauty' in Second Half [On Site]

[Financial News] CU will strengthen the non-food sector focusing on health functional foods and beauty categories in the second half. 
On the 19th, the 'CU 2025 Second Half Product Convention' held in Gangnam, Seoul, was bustling with franchise owners from all over the country who gathered to preview new products despite it being a weekday morning. This event, held twice a year in the first and second half, is a place to share differentiated new products and operational know-how and strengthen on-site communication with franchise owners. This year's event was expanded compared to previous years.
The most noteworthy strategy for the second half is the expansion of new growth categories such as health functional foods and beauty. CU obtained sales licenses for health functional foods at over 6,000 stores nationwide last month and launched exclusive products in collaboration with companies like Jongkundang and Dongwha Pharm. In the second half, they plan to introduce exclusive products such as 'nutritional supplements for smokers' and 'alcohol breakdown aids' reflecting the characteristics of customers who frequently use convenience stores.
Park Hyung-kyu, a health functional food product planner (MD) at BGF Retail, explained, "In existing health functional food sales channels like pharmacies, large-capacity products for 30 or 60 days are mainly sold, which can be burdensome for consumers. At CU, we will sell 10-day portioned products and offer various products through regular 1+1 cross-promotions to allow consumers to try them without burden." 
The beauty lineup will also be strengthened. CU is currently selling basic cosmetics and products like lip tattoos at prices under 10,000 won, emphasizing value for money, but plans to diversify the lineup in the second half. Especially as the proportion of color products like lip tattoos increases among foreigners and students, they plan to launch color balms and tube tints priced between 3,000 and 5,000 won next month.
In the food sector, they will strengthen 'Overwhelming Plus' ready-to-eat meals. The 'Overwhelming Plus' product line emphasizes maintaining the same price range as existing products while increasing the weight by 150% and using high-quality ingredients. Coffee products will introduce delivery services, and combo sales of ready-to-eat meals like bagel sandwiches that go well with coffee will be offered to reduce price burdens.
localplace@fnnews.com Kim Hyun-ji Reporter