SEOUL, Nov. 2 (Yonhap) -- Convenience store chains are rolling out limited-edition products in collaboration with popular characters ahead of Pepero Day on Mnoday, seeking to capitalize on the holiday shopping boom.

As demand grows for character merchandise and practical gifts alongside snacks, convenience store chains are stepping up competition to differentiate their offerings.

According to industry sources Monday, GS25 began preparing for this year's Pepero Day eight months in advance, considering the holiday's strong sales impact. Last year, its sales on Pepero Day were more than 30 percent higher than the average daily sales for the year.

GS25 has introduced gift sets combining popular character merchandise, including an Anpanman measuring-tape key ring, a Crayon Shin-chan film camera and a Shiro shopping bag. It has also launched limited-edition Pepero products featuring its own characters, "MooMoo and Friends."

CU has prepared 28 differentiated products, including collaborations with Pokemon and Tamagotchi, under the concept of "the final evolution of cuteness."

The chain is highlighting winter-friendly products, including merchandise featuring sleeping Pokemon, stuffed heat packs, fleece blankets and mood lamps. The share of sales from CU's differentiated Pepero Day products steadily rose from 23.2 percent in 2022 to 36.6 percent last year.

Seven Eleven has collaborated with three IPs with strong fan bases: Joanne & Friends, Sanrio Characters and K/DA, the game character group.

It has expanded its related product lineup by about 30 percent from last year to around 150 items, including special gift sets combining merchandise such as roasted chestnut hat plush key rings, pouches and cushions.

It will also operate a Joanne & Friends pop-up store at Lotte World Mall in Jamsil, eastern Seoul.

Emart24 will launch six Pepero products featuring the popular webtoon "The Remarried Empress."

It is seeking to differentiate its products with gift sets combining character lenticular cards and compact mirror key rings. The strategy comes as sales of related products during last year's Pepero Day promotion rose 24 percent from the previous year, while sales of collaboration products jumped 118 percent.

Discount competition is also continuing. GS25 is offering 2+2 deals and discounts of up to 50 percent through partner cards and mobile payments, while CU is offering discounts of up to 50 percent for purchases made with promotional cards. Seven Eleven is offering 20 percent discounts on 21 IP-themed gift sets, while Emart24 is running 1+1 and 2+1 promotions on around 180 snack items, including Pepero and chocolate.

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