Convenience stores have become the preferred shopping destination for foreign MZ-generation tourists in Korea, overtaking traditional duty-free shops.
Recent findings, such as the 2024 Jeju Island Visitor Survey, highlighted that young international travelers now favor accessible, low-cost retail outlets like CU and GS25, where they can purchase K-pop goods, ramen, cosmetics, and snacks featured in Korean media.
GS25 partnered with Lotte Duty Free and WeChat Pay to offer promotions for Chinese tourists, including discount coupons valid through June 30.
The chain also introduced a 24-hour currency exchange kiosk that supports 15 currencies and prepaid card services. GS25 saw an 18-fold increase in usage since launching exchange services in 2023.
CU has opened themed stores in tourist hotspots, offering ramen libraries, K-pop albums, and multilingual service.
In Myeongdong, its “K-specialized” store includes a ramen tasting table and prominently displays popular items like banana milk and protein shakes, catering to international tastes and trends.
