Sleeping Pokemon, Nostalgic Tamagotchi... CU Unveils 28 Pepero Day Gifts

A Concept That Takes Cuteness to the Next Level
Sales of Differentiated Products Rise Year After Year

BGF Retail's convenience store chain CU announced on November 2 that it will launch 28 gift products featuring popular characters such as Pokémon and Tamagotchi for Pepero Day (November 11). Reflecting the consumer trend of seeking enjoyment and comfort in cute characters, CU has prepared winter household goods and tactile accessories.

This year's Pokémon products feature characters taking naps. CU will also collaborate with Tamagotchi for the first time in the convenience store industry. The products appeal both to people in their 30s and 40s, who feel nostalgic about raising Tamagotchi devices as children, and to people in their teens and 20s, who like cute characters. Key merchandise includes plush toys with built-in hand warmers, key rings, squishy toys, fleece blankets, mood lights, mugs, yoga mats and tumblers.

Models introduce CU's Pepero Day commemorative products. Courtesy of CU.

From November 4 to 12, CU will also operate stores where customers can browse the character merchandise in person. Its Seongsu Dessert Park store in Seoul will feature Pokémon, while its Hongdae AK store will be decorated around Tamagotchi. CU will also sell gift sets of cookies and biscuits from French brand La Mère Poulard, Portuguese brand Jucais and Belgian brand Jules Destrooper, packaged in tin cases.

CU is expanding its character-themed gift offerings because demand for buying merchandise alongside Pepero Day products is growing. During last year's promotion, from November 1 to 11, related sales rose 32.4% year over year. Sales of products created in collaboration with characters and brands increased 55%, reaching a record high. The share of differentiated products in total Pepero Day-related sales also rose from 23.2% in 2022 to 36.6% last year.

CU is also offering payment discounts through November 10. To receive the benefits, customers must scan the membership QR code in CU's app, Pocket CU, and pay using an eligible payment method. Customers who buy at least two Pokémon products and pay with Naver Pay Points or Money, or Toss Pay Money or a linked bank account, can receive a discount of up to 30%. Customers who buy at least two Tamagotchi, Doraemon or Demon Slayer products and pay with a BC Card or NH Nonghyup Card can also receive a discount of up to 30%. Both promotions can be used up to five times per payment method during the promotional period, with a maximum discount of 15,000 won per transaction.

Customers who buy at least four Choco or Choco Field Pepero products and pay with Kakao Pay Points or Money, or Toss Pay Money or a linked bank account, can receive a discount of up to 50%. The discount is available up to five times per payment method during the promotional period, with a maximum of 4,000 won per transaction. Customers with a Shinhan Card SOL Travel debit card can buy Almond Pepero for 100 won on a first-come, first-served basis. Each customer can buy one at a time, up to three times during the promotional period.

“There is growing preference for anniversary gifts that combine cute designs and distinctive concepts with practical uses in everyday life,” said Cho Jun-hyung, head of the Snack and Food Team at BGF Retail. “Through collaborations with popular intellectual properties, CU will strengthen its product competitiveness and continue to introduce differentiated products that reflect customer demand and consumer trends.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.