The smoothie culture popular at Japanese tourist spots — where customers place fruit cups into machines for instant blending — has arrived at Korean convenience stores, and the response has been overwhelming.
CU, South Korea's largest convenience store chain, said Wednesday it will expand its instant fruit smoothie line "Real Smoothie" to stores nationwide this month, riding strong sales momentum.
Real Smoothie is an instant beverage made by placing a dedicated fruit cup filled with various fruits — including watermelon, mango banana, strawberry banana and mixed berry — into a smoothie machine that completes the drink in one minute. The format mirrors what has already become a "must-try" item among Korean tourists visiting Japanese tourist destinations. Demand has grown rapidly as the familiar experience is now paired with easy accessibility.
Sales of Real Smoothie last month surged 87.4% compared to June last year, when the product was first introduced. At some stores in tourist-heavy commercial districts, sales reach an average of 150 cups per day during peak season.
Industry observers point to the "Healthy Pleasure" trend as a key driver. As consumer appetite for enjoying health-conscious choices spreads, instant smoothies that highlight the natural taste of fruits without additives have tapped directly into this trend, analysts said.
CU plans to introduce new smoothie machines with upgraded specifications to improve food safety and operational convenience. The new TEAF5 model features a built-in hot water boiler, stainless steel construction to minimize residue, automatic high-temperature water cleaning, a high-speed blending system, reduced noise and a more compact size.
CU also plans to add new smoothie flavors this month to give customers a wider range of options.
"Instant smoothies are gaining popularity as health-conscious culture and customer demand for unique experiences at convenience stores converge," a CU official said. "We will continue to develop diverse and fun specialty products."
