There are now more convenience store locations in South Korea than the number of McDonald’s restaurants worldwide.
On July 19, CNN aired a segment highlighting South Korea’s convenience store culture. According to the Korean Convenience Store Industry Association, South Korea has over 55,200 convenience stores for its population of 52 million, which translates to one store for every 950 people.
According to McDonald’s Korea, the number of convenience stores exceeds the number of McDonald’s locations worldwide, with over 34,000 McDonald’s restaurants in 119 countries.
This achievement enabled South Korea to overtake Japan as the new leader in the number of convenience stores per capita.
CNN described South Korean convenience stores as a “one-stop shop” for various services beyond just purchasing food and beverages. These stores cater to daily necessities, offer mobile phone charging, handle utility bill payments, and serve as package pickup points. Some stores have expanded their services, including electronic scooter charging, currency exchange, and international mail shipping.
The growth of the convenience store industry is attributed to the rise in single-person households and urban population density, as single-person households prefer the convenience of quick orders through stores or online purchases more than bigger families.
CNN mentioned that South Korea’s convenience store culture reflects the Korean Wave, which is gaining popularity among social media influencers.
Jiny Maeng, a Korean content creator based in Australia, noted that many stores in Sydney, where she lives, close by 3 p.m. “Buying, cooking and eating instant ramen noodles at a convenience store is ‘mind-blowing’ for those used to a more spartan, Western-style store,” she shared.
The CNN report also pointed out that South Korean convenience store chains are expanding internationally, with major brands such as GS25, CU, and Emart24 operating in Southeast Asian countries like Vietnam and Malaysia.
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