Convenience Stores Rise as New Sales Channel for Cosmetic Products

This photo provided by GS25 shows its display stand for Lalavla brand.

SEOUL, Feb. 23 (Korea Bizwire) — Convenience stores are becoming a popular channel for sales of cosmetics products.

GS25, a convenience store chain run by GS Retail Co., reported an 18.2 percent increase in cosmetics sales last year compared to 2019.

Sales growth surpassed records from 2018 (15.4 percent) and 2019 (16.9 percent), reflecting rising consumer demand.

“In the past, lip balm comprised the majority of cosmetics sales at convenience stores. Now, sales of base makeups and color cosmetics are increasing quickly,” said GS25.

Convenience stores housing exclusive vendors for Lalavla, a health and beauty (H&B) brand run by GS Retail, reported a threefold increase in daily cosmetics sales.

Convenience stores in business districts reported a 226 percent increase in cosmetics sales between November 2020 and January of this year compared to the same period in the previous year.

CU, a convenience store chain run by BGF Retail Co., reported a 6.7 percent increase in cosmetics sales last year compared to 2019.

Last year, lip balm comprised the majority of all cosmetics sales, followed by skincare products such as toners and lotions and color cosmetics.

Cosmetics sales at convenience stores have risen by more than 12 percent if they are located in regions with less accessibility to cosmetic products than cities or the greater Seoul area, CU explained.

Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)