While Pokemon Bread, which was re-released after 16 years of discontinuation, is experiencing a shortage due to explosive popularity, the terms of sale at a convenience store have been engulfed in controversy.
Yesterday (20th), an article titled 'Pokemon Bread that only VIPs can buy' was posted on an online community.
The author expressed his displeasure, saying, "Even though Pokemon bread is trendy these days, it seems too excessive.
If you look at the photo released by the author, a notice from the store owner is attached to the glass of a convenience store saying, "Pokemon Bread will not be sold after the 17th."
The store owner emphasized in the notice that "Pokémon Bread is only sold to regular customers and those who have purchase receipts of 30,000 won or more for general merchandise. (If the conditions are not met), they will not sell even if they wait."
He added, "The arrival time of the product is 10:30 every day, and we plan to stock 1-3 pieces."
Netizens who saw this were outraged with comments such as "Are you going to sell to an acquaintance in the end?", "It makes business easier", "The owner has crossed the line.
When the controversy broke out, the convenience store headquarters said, "We recognized the situation and took action immediately. The notice has been taken down."
Pokemon Bread is very popular, with over 3.5 million sold within two weeks of its release.
In marts and convenience stores, the 'sell-by-one' strategy has even appeared, taking advantage of the scarcity of Pokemon bread.
Earlier, at another convenience store, two bags of macaroni cookies were bundled with Pokemon bread and displayed, and they wrote 'You must buy all the set items', causing controversy.
An official from the Pokemon Bread maker said, "We are operating the production line 24 hours a day to supply the maximum amount of products, but the situation is difficult due to too much demand."
This is a 'news pick'.
(Photo=capture of online community 'DC Inside', Yonhap News)