Starbucks’ ‘lucky bag’ sells out within hours

Starbucks Korea’s “lucky bags,” which offer a random selection of goodies for less than they usually retail for, sold out within a few hours of sales launching Thursday, company officials said.

Large crowds of people were seen lining up in front of Seoul’s Starbucks stores in the early morning to claim the coffee chain’s lucky bag worth up to 100,000 won ($92) for 49,000 won.

This year, the coffee chain sold 15,000 bags, containing tumblers, mugs, muddlers, coasters and free beverage coupons, in 670 stores nationwide. The items also included a special edition mug to celebrate the year of the blue sheep.

“The opening hours vary from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m., but about 14,800 of them were sold by 10 a.m.,” said Cecilia Song, Starbucks’ Public Affairs’ Team manager.

The company said in a statement it turned over 735 million won in sales within three hours of the first store opening.

Starbucks Korea, the Korean unit of the Seattle-based coffee franchise, has been selling lucky bags as an annual event since 2007.

By Suk Gee-hyun (monicasuk@heraldcorp.com)