[World Cup] S. Korea's match pushes up sales at convenience stores

Sales at local convenience stores rose sharply as South Korean fans enjoyed seeing their national football team play their second match at the ongoing Russia World Cup, retailers said Sunday.

BGF Retail Co., the operator of CU, the country's largest convenience store chain, said sales of major products at its stores from 6 p.m. Saturday to midnight more than doubled as South Korea took on Mexico in its second match of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

People clean up after watching South Korea`s Group F match against Mexico at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia at Gwanghwamun Plaza, downtown Seoul, on June 23. (Yonhap)

Sales of beer and soju soared more than twofold and those of ready-to-eat items jumped 30 percent from a week ago.

GS Retail Co., an operator of the major convenience store chain GS25, said sales of beer skyrocketed 287 percent and those of ice cream surged 82.8 percent Saturday compared with the same day the previous week.

South Korea lost 2-1 to Mexico and dropped to the bottom of Group F with zero points from two losses. Its last group-round match against Germany will take place Wednesday. (Yonhap)