Killer prices at convenience stores

The three-minute instant jjangjang (black bean sauce) rice that is available at discount supermarkets for 750 won (70 cents) sells for no less than 1,600 won ($1.4) at most convenience stores.

The popular ice cream Merona can be bought for 300 won at the supermarkets but will set you back 700 won (65 cents) at any of the convenience stores.

According to a report by the Korea Consumer Agency based on surveys of 200 discount supermarkets, convenience stores and traditional markets on 371 daily products, 25.6 of them had price differences that were twice as much.

This was the case for instant rice products, mineral water, coffee, batteries, germicides, hair dye, health drinks, detergents, body lotion and wet tissues.

In the case of an instant rice pack of three, the lowest price was 1,980 won ($1.8) with the highest being 6,750 won ($6) for a three-fold difference. Worldcon XQ ice cream’s prices ranged from 600 won (55 cents) to 2,000 won ($1.7).