Zero-calorie drink pouches are displayed at a convenience store in Seoul in this photo provided by Emart24.
SEOUL, April 24 (Korea Bizwire) — The demand for zero-calorie beverages and sugar-free options remains strong in South Korea.
Convenience store chain Emart24 reported a 70 percent increase in first-quarter sales of zero-calorie drinks compared to the previous year.
Last year, Emart24′s zero-calorie beverage sales grew by 78 percent year-on-year, with an average annual growth rate of 150 percent since 2020.
Similarly, GS25, another convenience store chain, saw its zero-calorie beverage sales rise by 100.8 percent year on year in the first quarter of this year, exceeding last year’s growth rate of 91.3 percent.
Other chains like CU and 7-Eleven also showed impressive annual growth rates of 149 percent and 150 percent, respectively, since 2020.
Emart24′s zero-calorie product types increased from four in 2020 to 64 in the first quarter of this year, while GS25 also saw its zero beverage product types rise from four to 32 during the same period.
“The trend of ‘healthy pleasure’ became mainstream after the pandemic, indicating a desire to enjoy food and beverages in a healthy way,” an industry official said.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
