‘Pokemon Go’ catapults c-store sales in Korea

Convenience stores in some areas in South Korea are enjoying a boom in sales brought by the latest mobile game craze ‘Pokemon Go’.

‘Pokémon Go’, an augmented reality app developed by Niantic, requires players to walk around and catch creatures called Pokémon using one’s smartphone.

The hit game is not yet available in the country but a technical glitch made it accessible in a few locations such as Sokcho, Ulsan, and Busan driving people to flock to these areas, according to The Korea Herald.

Top South Korean c-store operator CU reported that its outlets in Sokcho saw a jump in sales notably in battery charging services which rose by 388 percent and mobile accessories such as portable batteries and earphones by 82.4 percent.

A rise in demand for ice cream and cold beverages due to summer heat has also been seen so the Sokcho branch of retail chain E-mart offers free ice water, as part of its marketing campaign, to ‘Pokémon Go’ players who can catch Pokémon creatures on its premises.

Travel agencies, hotels, and retailers selling Pokémon merchandise are also cashing in on the game phenomenon.