[Edaily Reporter SHIN MIN JOON ] The domestic convenience store industry benefited from the fireworks festival boom. This was thanks to the approximately 1 million people who flocked to the Seoul World Fireworks Festival, now in its 22nd year. Many stores reported their highest single-day sales of the year.

In particular, since this year’s fireworks festival was held about a month earlier than usual—resulting in a significant daily temperature range—consumption patterns were clearly divided by time of day, with customers purchasing ice cups and beverages during the day and cold-weather and outdoor gear at night.

According to the convenience store industry on the 6th, sales at domestic convenience stores near the event—including those in Yeouido and Yongsan—surged across the board due to the “Seoul World Fireworks Festival 2026,” which organizers estimated drew approximately 1 million spectators on the 5th. First, sales on the 5th at about 30 CU convenience stores—operated by BGF Retail(282330)—located within the festival’s influence zone, including △Yeouido, △Yongsan, and △Banpo, increased by up to 16 times compared to the previous Saturday (August 29).

At CU stores near Yeouido Hangang Park—a key area for the fireworks festival—the number of customers at one point increased by as much as 120 times. In particular, sales rose rapidly after lunchtime, peaking at 6:00 p.m., just before the opening ceremony began. During the one-hour period from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., sales reached up to 200 times the level recorded during the same hour the previous week.

Looking at the sales growth rates for major items compared to the previous Saturday, among food items, ready-to-eat meals such as boxed lunches saw a 580-fold increase. Sales also rose for hot dogs (56-fold), gimbap (52-fold), ramen (43-fold), sandwiches (38-fold), and triangular rice balls (25-fold). Since the fireworks festival was held about a month earlier than last year, sales of cold items also surged significantly due to the hot weather. Sales of △cup ice increased 110-fold, △bottled water 71-fold, △beer 37-fold, and △carbonated drinks 43-fold.

Sales of portable power banks, essential for long viewing sessions, rose 99-fold, while sales of picnic mats increased 52-fold. Sales of umbrellas to block the sun also surged 421-fold. With many families attending the event with their children, sales of toys—such as bubble wands—also jumped 41-fold.

GS Retail(007070)GS Holdings, which operates GS25, also saw sales at seven stores—including those in Yeouido and Yongsan—increase by up to about seven times compared to the previous Saturday. As spectators flocked to the vicinity of the event venue before the fireworks festival began, more than half of the day’s sales were generated during the three-hour period from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Among food items, sales of ready-to-eat meals—such as Go Pizza and fried chicken—reached 192 times the usual level. Sales of roasted sweet potatoes increased 45-fold, while sales of sports drinks rose 38-fold and ice cups 36-fold. For non-food items, sales of picnic mats, power banks, wet wipes, and toilet paper increased 42-fold, 30-fold, and 14-fold, respectively.

Total sales at approximately 20 7-Eleven stores—part of the Lotte Group—also increased by up to 15 times. Sales of picnic mats and lap blankets rose 52 times compared to the previous Saturday. Sales of ready-to-eat snacks, such as roasted sweet potatoes and fried chicken, also increased 26 times. As the event took place earlier than last year, mosquito activity increased, leading to a roughly 17-fold rise in insect repellent sales.

Sales at E-MART Co., Ltd.’s 24 stores within the fireworks festival’s vicinity also increased by up to 10 times. Beer sales recorded the highest growth rate, rising approximately 35 times compared to the previous Saturday. This was followed by △bottled water (24 times), △ice (23 times), and △carbonated beverages (20 times).

The convenience store industry analyzed that, since this year’s Fireworks Festival was held earlier than usual, consumption patterns during the day and night diverged due to the daily temperature fluctuations. Given the weather conditions—with a temperature difference of about 10 degrees between day and night—demand for alcohol, beverages, and ice cups was concentrated during the daytime. In contrast, sales of cold-weather and outdoor items, such as lap blankets to maintain body heat, surged in the evening.

A convenience store industry official stated, “Sales at stores around Yeouido and the Han River surged this year as well, with large crowds flocking to enjoy the fireworks festival,” adding, “The convenience store industry significantly expanded inventory at key locations and prepared a variety of customer-tailored products and services to ensure festival-goers could fully enjoy food and convenience items on-site.”