As the crisp air of late October sweeps across South Korea, the country’s shopping scene is gearing up for a whirlwind of excitement. Shinsegae Simon, one of the nation’s leading outlet operators, is rolling out its much-anticipated 'Super Saturday' event from October 24 to 26, 2025—a shopping festival that’s being billed as the 'Black Friday for outlets.' Meanwhile, across the Pacific, 7-Eleven’s 'Brands with Heart' program is quietly shaping the future of convenience store shelves, offering a lifeline to emerging brands hoping to break into the national spotlight.
For South Korean shoppers, the Super Saturday festival is more than just a sale—it’s an annual tradition that brings together retail therapy, entertainment, and even a taste of local culture. According to The Asia Business Daily, this year’s event will span all Shinsegae Simon Premium Outlets, including Yeoju, Paju, Busan, and Siheung. The promise? The largest discounts of the year, with up to 30% extra slashed off already reduced outlet prices. That’s not just a deal—it’s a shopping bonanza.
“Super Saturday is Shinsegae Simon’s ‘Black Friday for outlets,’ held one month ahead of Black Friday,” the company announced. The festival isn’t just about snagging deals on last season’s styles; it’s a full-blown retail experience. Brands across every category—luxury, contemporary, casual, sports, golf, outdoor, and even kidswear—are on board with the deepest discounts shoppers will see all year.
Sports fans, in particular, have reason to celebrate. Nike is offering an additional 20% off all items, with a further bump to 30% off for purchases over 150,000 won. Adidas, New Balance, and Skechers are matching the 20% mark, and Under Armour is going all out with 30% off everything. Outdoor enthusiasts aren’t left out either: Black Yak, National Geographic, Nepa, and Sierra Designs are sweetening the deal with an extra 10% off, while Discovery and Kodak are offering special deals on outerwear—just in time for the winter chill.
Fashionistas can expect to see Barbour, Lacoste, Hazzys, Lucky Chouette, and Studio Tomboy offering an additional 20% off, while Marithe Francois Girbaud and D'UEL are throwing in an extra 10%. Even international luxury brands like Armani Store, Herno, and Vivienne Westwood are getting in on the action, with all items marked down an additional 10%. It’s a rare opportunity for shoppers to snag high-end labels at a fraction of the cost.
The excitement doesn’t stop at the cash register. At Yeoju Premium Outlets, Korea’s first 'Loewe Outlet Pop-up Store' is open until November 2, offering up to 60% off this year’s spring and summer collections. Over at Paju Premium Outlets, a Guess family sale is promising discounts up to a staggering 80%—enough to make even the most seasoned bargain hunter do a double-take.
But what’s a festival without a little spectacle? On October 24 at 8 p.m., Paju Premium Outlets will light up the night sky with a fireworks festival. The following day, all locations will host outdoor performances, from jazz and popera to electronic string music, transforming the outlets into vibrant hubs of entertainment. Down south in Busan, the 'Gifts from Jeju in Busan' event will run on October 25 and 26, celebrating local tourism and specialty products from Jeju Island. The party isn’t just confined to the physical stores either—the Super Saturday deals are also available on Shinsegae Simon’s official online mall, 'Shinsegae Outlet Mall,' ensuring that even those who prefer to shop from home don’t miss out.
While South Korea’s outlets are buzzing with anticipation, a quieter but no less significant transformation is taking place in the world of convenience retail. Since 2019, RangeMe has partnered with 7-Eleven on its 'Brands with Heart' (BWH) program, an annual initiative designed to discover and showcase emerging, purpose-driven brands across 7-Eleven, Speedway, and Stripes stores in the United States. According to RangeMe, the 2025 submissions process wrapped up on October 13, and buyers at 7-Eleven are now deep in the evaluation phase.
For up-and-coming brands, this program is a game-changer. Selected participants gain not only a path into new retail channels and the chance to reach millions of convenience shoppers, but also access to mentorship, educational opportunities, and direct connections with 7-Eleven’s category managers. The process starts with applications through RangeMe, where brands submit their products and stories for consideration. Those who make the cut are invited to a showcase event, presenting directly to 7-Eleven leaders, receiving mentorship and coaching, and—if they impress—moving forward to in-store tests with the tantalizing possibility of scaling nationally.
Louisa McCarty, Manager at 7-Ventures | 7-Eleven Emerging Brands, explained the strategy behind the program: “We focused on center store snacks, innovative beverages, frozen treats, packaged bakery, and refrigerated snacks because these are high-traffic areas in c-stores where shoppers are open to discovery. They also represent categories where innovation is happening fast, from functional beverages to protein snacks, and where we know customers are looking for fresh, differentiated options.”
As for what drives growth at 7-Eleven stores, McCarty pointed to shifting consumer priorities: “Shoppers are looking for better-for-you options that don’t sacrifice convenience or taste. We’re seeing demand for protein, functional benefits, and permissible indulgence. But across all categories, taste still is #1 for our shoppers – the product has to taste amazing!”
When it comes to choosing which brands make the cut, 7-Eleven looks for a mix of product differentiation, fit with the convenience store format, scalability, pack sizes, and price points. “Products need to be on-the-go, craveable and unique, with pack sizes and price points that work in our stores. We also evaluate scalability—whether a brand can support a regional test of at least 300 stores from both a distribution and capital standpoint. Lastly, we value passionate founders creating products that meet consumers’ unmet needs,” McCarty said.
For finalists, the rewards go beyond shelf space. They receive virtual programming to prepare them for the unique dynamics of the convenience channel, opportunities to showcase their products at the 7-Eleven corporate office in Irving, Texas, and the chance to pitch directly to category managers. The stakes are high, but so are the rewards: last year, nine brands moved into regional tests after participating in Brands with Heart, and some are already on their way to national expansion.
As both Shinsegae Simon and 7-Eleven demonstrate, the retail world is evolving rapidly—driven by a blend of consumer demand, innovation, and a flair for the dramatic. Whether it’s fireworks over the outlets in Korea or a promising new snack on the shelves of your neighborhood 7-Eleven, one thing’s clear: shopping is about more than just buying things. It’s about discovery, excitement, and the thrill of finding something new—sometimes at a price too good to pass up.
