GS25 (Photo courtesy of haps Magazine Korea)
Foreign tourists visiting Korea’s beaches this summer are filling more than just hotels—they’re also driving a sharp increase in convenience store sales, with familiar Korean snacks, drinks, and practical travel essentials proving especially popular.
According to convenience store operators, sales to foreign visitors at beach destinations surged in July compared with the same period last year.
Busan recorded some of the biggest increases, with stores in Gwangalli reporting a 189.9% jump in foreign customer sales, followed by Haeundae at 120.7%.
The shopping baskets of overseas visitors reveal a mix of everyday necessities and iconic Korean products.
At GS25, the fastest-growing items purchased by foreign customers were batteries, sunscreen, bagged ice, and cup ice, reflecting the needs of travelers spending long days outdoors.
Korean convenience store favorites also remained in high demand.
Binggrae Banana Milk topped the list, followed by Greek yogurt, strawberry milk, and other ready-to-eat snacks and drinks.
At 7-Eleven, popular purchases included Banana Milk, Xylitol Espresso gum, Cass and Terra beers, and Gamdongran seasoned eggs.
The figures highlight how convenience stores have become an essential stop for international visitors, offering everything from cooling products for the summer heat to uniquely Korean food and beverages that have become popular with tourists.