A foreign tourist shops at a GS25 convenience store. [GS25]
A foreign tourist shops at a GS25 convenience store. [GS25]

As more foreign tourists head to the beach during the summer vacation season, convenience stores along Korea's coastlines are posting strong sales growth.

GS25, the convenience store chain operated by GS Retail, said Tuesday that an analysis of foreign payment data — including WeChat Pay and Alipay transactions — from July 1 to 19 showed that sales at about 100 tourist-area stores along coastlines in Gangneung, Sokcho, Haeundae, Jeju and other destinations rose 136.9 percent from the same period a year earlier.

Foreign tourists bought the most water and cold beverages to beat the heat. Ramyun, milk and snacks were also popular for a quick bite. Beach gear — including swim tubes, goggles, hats and toys — sold briskly as well.

The sales increase reflects a rise in inbound foreign visitors. GS25's overall foreign-payment sales for the first half of this year climbed 60.2 percent from the same period last year.

By region, Myeong-dong in Seoul recorded the highest foreign-payment sales, followed by Hongdae and Jeju. Regional tourism hubs including Busan, Jeonju, Suwon and Gyeongju also posted notable gains.

The top products purchased by foreign tourists this year included banana milk, Greek yogurt, ice cups, marinated eggs, sesame ramyun, Buldak Bokkeum Myeon and honey butter almonds. K-food items generating buzz on SNS were popular, as were transit cards and SIM cards — essentials for travelers right after arrival.

GS25 is expanding payment perks and convenience services. It is currently running WeChat Pay and UnionPay payment promotions exclusively within the convenience store industry. At stores with high foreign visitor traffic, the chain also operates on-the-spot VAT refund services and foreign currency exchange kiosks. Usage of the VAT refund service and currency exchange kiosks in the first half of the year rose 354.6 percent and 20.2 percent, respectively, from the same period a year earlier.

Foreign tourists shop at a GS25 convenience store. [GS Retail]
Foreign tourists shop at a GS25 convenience store. [GS Retail]

korean@heraldcorp.com