Premium kimchi products branded by major hotels are enjoying steady popularity. (Image courtesy of Lotte Hotel & Resort)
SEOUL, March 12 (Korea Bizwire) — Premium kimchi products branded by major hotels are enjoying steady popularity, prompting businesses to expand their operations by introducing subscription services.
According to hotel industry sources on March 11, Josun Hotels & Resorts launched a Premium Kimchi Subscription Service on March 7. The service delivers kimchi to subscribers on a regular basis, with customers able to choose products, quantities and the delivery schedule. For example, subscribers can receive 1kg of cabbage kimchi every two months.
The subscription model reflects growing consumer demand for seasonal varieties of the traditional Korean staple. Summer specialty packages include water-based white radish kimchi and young radish kimchi alongside traditional cabbage kimchi, catering to warm-weather preferences.
Josun Hotels’ kimchi division reported a 46% increase in sales last year. “Our kimchi products have a high reorder rate,” a Josun Hotels representative said. “The subscription service was specifically designed for our loyal customer base.”
Following this trend, Paradise Hotel & Resort entered the kimchi market in October 2024, responding to the growing number of consumers who prefer purchasing kimchi rather than making it at home. Their flagship cabbage kimchi product surpassed 10,000 units in sales within four months of launch.
“Our kimchi products have garnered significant popularity across all demographics, from single-person households to families,” a Paradise Hotel representative noted.
Lotte Hotel, which began its kimchi business in August 2023, saw a 47% increase in kimchi sales during January and February compared to the same period last year. A company spokesperson attributed the success to consumer trust in the hotel brand, noting that “customers appreciate both the use of premium ingredients and the opportunity to enjoy hotel-quality kimchi at their own dining table.”
Walker Hill Hotel & Resort, the pioneer in the hotel kimchi business, maintained strong growth with a 24.6% increase in kimchi sales last year. The company launched a dedicated mobile application called Walker Hill Store App in January for selling kimchi and other food products, including smoked salmon and marinated meat sets.
Walker Hill has been offering subscription services since 2009 with its first kimchi brand, SUPEX, and launched a second subscription program for Walker Hill Kimchi in December 2022. “The ability to enjoy high-quality kimchi curated for each season is our subscription service’s main appeal,” a Walker Hill representative explained, adding that the company plans to strengthen customer loyalty through seasonal product development, special discounts for subscribers, and various promotional events.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
