With the ”sake” boom... Korean convenience store GS25 expands its ”snack” offerings with the ”Home Sake” concept

On the 9th, GS25, a convenience store operated by South Korean retail giant GS Retail, announced that it would be expanding its Home Zakaya (HOME + Izakaya) snacks in response to the demand for sake.
According to an analysis of alcohol category sales data by GS25, the sales growth rate of sake in the first quarter of this year (January to March) was about seven times higher than the same period last year.
The number of sake products handled by GS25 has expanded from just over 20 varieties at the end of 2021 to more than 120 varieties at the end of last year.
GS25 reflects the consumer trend of purchasing alcoholic beverages and snacks together.
This year, the company plans to sell a variety of snacks that go well with sake under the theme of "Home Sake." First, a dessert snack sale will be held through the GS Retail mobile app until the 12th of this month.
Mami is taking pre-orders for its "Mochi Tofu". It costs 5,000 won (about 560 yen) and is limited to 3,000 units.
The company also plans to continue selling a variety of snack items in the future.
Lee Min-jae, manager of the refrigerated and frozen food team at GS Retail, said, "The trend of 'home drinking' that has spread due to the COVID-19 virus pandemic and customer preferences are attracting attention.
"To achieve this, we are making every effort to bring our snack products up to the level of specialty stores."