[Edaily Reporter SHIN MIN JOON ] CU is targeting the fanbase of the idol group RESCENE by selling character merchandise following the release of RESCENE bread. With the bread—developed in collaboration with the members—having sold over 3.5 million units in just two months since its launch, the company plans to expand its collaborative product lineup to include albums, dolls, and accessories to further engage the fanbase.

BGF Retail(282330)CU, the convenience store chain operated by the company, announced on the 16th that it will sell 27 types of merchandise featuring “Rit and Met”—characters modeled after RESCENE members Liv and May—at stores nationwide. CU will also introduce four products related to the group’s new album, *PULSE*.

Earlier this month, CU opened a Lisenne pop-up store at its Olympic Plaza location, selling the album, bread, boxed lunches, and character merchandise. Sales of Lisenne-related products exceeded 50,000 units over approximately two weeks. Some items, such as Ritt and Met figurine keychains, sold out within three days.

Reflecting this positive response, CU is introducing medium-sized Ritt and Met plush dolls, four types of T-shirts, and drawstring bags at stores nationwide. The company has also prepared random can badges, a squishy set featuring catchphrases from Liv and May, four types of keychains (including figure-shaped ones), keycaps, and postcards.

The CU Gyeongju Hwangridan-gil branch is decorating both the interior and exterior of the store with Ritt and Met characters. This branch is the location that Risen member Won-i and Jena visited on Won-i’s YouTube channel. This merchandise launch is part of the collaboration CU has been carrying out since signing an exclusive brand model contract with Risen last July.

CU previously released five types of bread in collaboration with Lisenne through its differentiated bakery brand, “BAKE405.” The Lisenne members participated directly in the bread development process, incorporating their individual tastes and ideas into the products.

The planning process also utilized synthetic consumer surveys powered by artificial intelligence (AI). Instead of recruiting actual survey participants, the company created virtual consumers with diverse characteristics and living environments and analyzed their responses. With the added fun of collecting limited-edition photo cards included with the products, cumulative sales surpassed 3.5 million units in just about two months after launch.

In addition to bread and merchandise, CU is expanding the scope of its collaboration by launching the “Deokyeon’s Daughter Lunch Box”—featuring side dishes that member Won-i’s mother used to make—and introducing a grain enzyme product modeled after Lisenne.

Shin Sang-yong, Head of the Service Platform Team at BGF Retail, said, “We launched these character merchandise items to provide Lisenne fans across the country with special offline experiences they can enjoy in their daily lives,” adding, “We will continue to collaborate with Lisenne to expand our engagement with fans and deliver differentiated brand experiences.”