Convenience stores near the Han River are busy preparing to welcome customers ahead of the Seoul International Fireworks Festival 2025, which is scheduled to be held at Yeouido Hangang Park on the 27th. These stores are significantly increasing their stock of ready-to-eat meals, alcoholic beverages, and drinks that are expected to be in high demand during the festival. They are also boosting sales of picnic items like mats and blankets.
CU, a convenience store operated by BGF Retail, has set up “Hot Zones” in about 30 stores near the Han River where the fireworks can be viewed. These zones include warm foods like steamed buns, roasted sweet potatoes, self-serve drip coffee brand “get,” and items for warmth such as heat packs and knee blankets. The product orders have been expanded up to 100 times the usual amount to meet expected demand.
Last year, sales at CU convenience stores near the Han River increased rapidly after lunchtime, peaking around 6 PM, just before the festival’s opening ceremony. The average customer count at these stores on the day of the fireworks festival surged nearly 100 times compared to a week before.
Alongside, with the sudden drop in temperature, items like heat packs, bottled water, coffee, kimbap, and snacks were popular, along with picnic mats, wet wipes, portable phone chargers, and umbrellas.
GS25, another convenience store chain, reported that sales at its 10 stores near the Han River during last year’s fireworks festival increased by up to 8.7 times compared to the previous week. One store even achieved sales of over 15 million won in just three hours.
Seven-Eleven has also increased its stock of popular products such as bottled water, beer, drinks, ready-to-eat meals, and instant foods at 20 key locations where the festival effect is anticipated. They are also focusing on securing stock for Netflix movie “K-Pop Demon Hunters” merchandise, considering the high number of foreign visitors expected.
An industry insider noted that the fireworks festival is a significant sales-boosting event for convenience stores, and they are thoroughly preparing to ensure visitors can purchase necessary items on time.
The City of Seoul has developed comprehensive measures for the safe conduct of the festival, which attracts over a million visitors annually. They plan to run a ‘Comprehensive Safety Headquarters’ in collaboration with the police, fire department, local governments, and Hanwha Group, increasing safety personnel by 13% compared to last year. Additionally, related agencies will conduct joint site inspections on the 26th and 27th.
Hanwha Group is deploying real-time monitoring of crowded areas through CCTVs and is prepared to increase personnel and implement dispersal measures if needed.