Customers are enjoying premium side dishes worth about a half of the value of the wine itself. (image: Emart24)
SEOUL, Oct. 2 (Korea Bizwire) — When consumers buy wine at convenience stores in South Korea, they tend to buy premium side dishes with a value equivalent to about a half of that of the wine.
Convenience store chain CU analyzed sales trends at its stores for the period from Sept. 1-23. The analysis showed that there is difference in consumer choice of side dishes between soju, beer and wine.
The best-selling side dishes for soju and beer were mainly refrigerated foods, instant cup noodles and lunch boxes.
In contrast, those for wine were cheeses, refrigerated desserts like cakes, biscuits and ice cream, and canned foods.
The average price of the five best-selling wine side dishes stood at 9,820 won (US$8.40), about twice as high as the 5,120 won for soju, a rice-based liquor popular with local drinkers, and beer accompaniments.
Considering that the price of wine selling at convenience stores runs from 10,000 won to 30,000 won, customers are enjoying premium side dishes worth about a half of the value of the wine itself.
“Due to the unique fun in wine and food pairing, there are many customers who pay extra attention to side dishes even when drinking the affordable wines selling at convenience stores,” CU said.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
