Distribution industry, whiskey and wine increase in popularity in Chuseok gift sets

Forward deployment of rare wines and expensive whiskeys in the distribution industry

(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Jeong Soo-yeon = Among the Chuseok gift sets sold at large supermarkets, the popularity of alcoholic beverages such as whiskey and wine is increasing.

According to E-Mart's comparison of Chuseok gift set sales trends 10 years ago and this year on the 26th, liquor gift sets rose from 8th in sales in 2016 to 4th this year.

In 2016, the sales share was canned goods (24.4%), seasonings (12.7%), household goods such as shampoo and socks (11.2%), and fruits (10.5%). Alcoholic beverages ranked only 8th with 6.2%.

This year, the order changed to canned foods (25.7%), seasonings (14.6%), fruits (9.7%), and alcoholic beverages (9.2%).

While practical gifts such as canned goods and seasonings are still popular, the demand for daily necessities such as shampoo and socks has decreased, while preference for alcoholic beverages has increased.

Among alcohol gift sets, whiskey was very popular.

From August 6, the start date of pre-orders for this year's Chuseok gift set, to September 22, sales of E-Mart's Yangju gift set increased 22.2% compared to the same period last year during Chuseok.

Demand for ultra-expensive whiskey is increasing at department stores ahead of Chuseok.

Ahead of Chuseok, Shinsegae Department Store began selling ultra-expensive whiskeys such as The Macallan 40 Year Old (32 million won), 50 Year Old (123 million won), 71 Year Old (180 million won), and 78 Year Old (220 million won).

The Macallan ’71 was actually sold.

Lotte Department Store sells the ‘Chateau Margaux 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 Vintage Collection’, which is considered a rare wine, while Hyundai Department Store sells the ultra-expensive wine ‘Petrus 18 Bottle Vertical Collection’ and the expensive whiskey ‘Balvenie 50 Years Old’.

A distribution industry official said, "As consumers' tastes become more personalized and segmented, the standards for choosing holiday gifts are changing."