A growing number of people prefer drinking at home after an anti-graft law has put a damper on drinking parties and entertainment events, boosting sales of alcoholic beverages and snacks at convenience stores, industry officials said Tuesday.
The law, which took effect on Sept. 28, bans public servants, educators and journalists from receiving free meals valued over 30,000 won ($26.50), gifts worth more than 50,000 won or congratulatory or condolence money of more than 100,000 won.
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CU, a major convenience store chain operated by BGF Retail, said sales of beer and soju rose about 20 percent from Sept. 28 to Oct. 21, while those of hangover cure drinks were cut by more than half over the same period.
Sales of lunch boxes, pizza, salad and other home replacement meals soared in evenings since the law's implementation.
Industry officials say more people buy light drinks at convenience stores after work as the new law discouraged government officials and related people from drinking lavishly at expensive pubs or dining at expensive restaurants.
"Sales of drinks and snacks sharply rose in evenings after the anti-graft law took place," Kim Seok-hwan, a sales planning director at BGF Retail, said. "We will analyze the recent sale data to better deal with consumer demands."
Sales of appetizers served with drinks and alcoholic drink glasses at online stores also gained in line with the rising number of solo drinkers.
11st Street, an online shopping mall, said foods categorized as drinks appetizers, including dried seafood, nuts, frozen food and cheese, more than doubled over the past month, and sales of wine, cocktail and beer glasses also rose over 50 percent.
Ticket Monster, a social commerce site, said sales of alcoholic drink glasses from Oct. 1-20 increased 2.6 times compared with a month earlier. (Yonhap)
