"Must Be Sold Out": Items Fly Off Shelves as Retro Products Gain Explosive Popularity

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Discontinued snacks and alcoholic beverages are making a comeback one by one. An ice cream brand celebrating its 40th anniversary has recreated its original packaging from its initial launch. It brings back memories for middle-aged and older consumers while offering fresh entertainment to younger generations.

Reporter Chae Heesun explores the retro craze sweeping the distribution industry.

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This is an event venue celebrating the 40th anniversary of a famous ice cream's release.

People receive ice cream dressed in its original packaging from when it was first launched and try drawing retro prizes.

[Pan sticker is a very precious item. Congratulations.]

Childhood memories come alive in front of the familiar packaging.

[Kim Hyejeong / Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province: When I was young, my mother used to buy me this whenever I did well on tests.]

A domestic whiskey that gained popularity for its affordable price has also returned after 11 years.

As soon as it was released, it sold out, making it hard to find even when checking store shelves.

[(I think it was here.) It looks like they're all sold out.]

[Park Jaeyong / Gongju, South Chungcheong Province: I heard adults say that if you drink it, the next day disappears (because of hangovers), and I was so curious that I came to buy it.]

SNS videos reenacting past advertisements and stories from back in the day, which they had only heard about through words, drew in younger consumers.

All 12,000 bottles released at large supermarkets and other stores starting on October 14 have been sold, and searches to find remaining stock continue to rise.

Interest in nostalgic products is leading to sales performance as well.

A ramen brand popularized by this type of advertisement sold 10 million packs within three months of its relaunch last year.

Middle-aged and older generations seek memories tied to the products, while younger generations look for designs and fun they have not experienced before.

Analysts suggest that for companies, leading with familiar brands helps reduce sales uncertainty.

[Jeon Miyoung / Research Fellow at Trend Korea Company: When launching new products, there is always risk involved, but reinterpreting past successful experiences can make things much safer.]

Amid high inflation, the distribution industry must open consumers' wallets.

Retro marketing that simultaneously stimulates the memories of the middle-aged and older generations and the curiosity of the younger generation is expected to continue for the time being.

(Video Reporter: Kim Mincheol | Video Editor: Kim Jongtae | VJ: Jeong Hanuk)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.