Sandwiches and salads are display at an outlet of E-Mart in Seoul on Aug. 3, 2022. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Aug. 5 (Korea Bizwire) — As high inflation continues, an increasing number of South Koreans are turning to simple meals at discount stores.
E-Mart Inc., a discount store chain under Shinsegae Group, saw the sales of simple meals such as sandwiches, salads and gimbap (seaweed rice rolls with vegetables) jump by 25 percent in the January to July period of this year compared to a year ago.
In particular, sales of sandwiches and salads rose by 30 percent and 95 percent, respectively.
Sales of samgak gimbap (triangle-shaped gimbap) grew by 48 percent and those of microwaveable meals such as bibimbap (a traditional dish that mixes rice, vegetables, meat and hot pepper paste) and pasta rose by 30 percent.
The sales of gimbap and other roll foods rose by 26 percent each. These products are typically priced between 4,000-5,000 won (US$3.07-3.84).
The number of customers who purchased simple meals during the lunch hours from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. increased by 20 percent, with sales of such meals during lunchtime rising by 30 percent.
Another discount store chain Homeplus also saw lunchtime sales of its instant food section jump by 49 percent year on year during the period from June 18 to July 17, while sales of sandwiches and salads also grew by 172 percent year on year.
J. S. Shin (js_shin@koreabizwire.com)
