Foreign tourists driving Korea’s convenience store boom

Korea's convenience stores are seeing a massive surge in foreign customer spending, with CU stores in the trendy Seongsu district posting a stunning 115% jump in foreign-card sales year-over-year. Tourist spending is now a key growth driver, especially in Seoul's major shopping areas like Myeong-dong and Hongdae. The boom reflects how popular Korean convenience stores have become with visitors, from iconic snacks like banana milk to transit passes.