Purchase Cosmetics by Scanning QR Code... Lotte Duty Free Opens First 'Smart Store'

[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Min-young] As the untact (contactless) consumption culture spreads in the duty-free industry, Lotte Duty Free announced on the 31st that it will launch a ‘Smart Store’ incorporating digital innovation technology.

The Lotte Duty Free Smart Store is a beauty specialty store with an area of approximately 520㎡ (157 pyeong), selling cosmetics, perfumes, beauty devices, and more. By applying digital technology to the offline store, it enhances customer experience and minimizes face-to-face contact. Over the past month, Lotte Duty Free completely renovated the existing store ‘Star Avenue Corner’ located on the first floor of Lotte Duty Free Myeongdong Main Store into a Smart Store.

Customers visiting the Smart Store first scan the QR code installed at the store entrance with their smartphones to access the Smart Store’s dedicated mobile cart. If they find a product they like, they can scan the barcode of each product to check detailed product information, reviews, stock quantity, etc., and immediately add it to the mobile shopping cart. After completing their shopping, customers show their unique QR code provided individually to the staff for a consolidated payment.

In the store system configuration, consideration for both domestic and foreign customers is also notable. The QR code for accessing the mobile cart can be scanned via ‘WeChat,’ China’s largest mobile messenger, and detailed product information is provided in four languages: Korean, English, Japanese, and Simplified Chinese.

The Smart Store hosts prestigious global cosmetic brands such as SK-II, Shiseido, and Est?e Lauder, each offering differentiated digital shopping services by brand. SK-II operates the ‘i-Magic Ring Bar,’ which recommends products tailored to customers’ skin by diagnosing five factors that determine skin age. Shiseido runs a ‘Digital Store’ where product explanations are provided via LED screens and store lighting changes according to selected products. Est?e Lauder introduces an AR technology-based ‘Virtual Makeup Service’ that helps customers easily and enjoyably find their desired lipstick, and a digital device called the ‘Digital Shade Finder’ that identifies the color best suited to their skin tone.

In addition to digital shopping services, differentiated shopping experiences are also provided. A spa service room called ‘La Prairie Facial Cabin,’ offering skin care services with products from the Swiss luxury cosmetic brand La Prairie, has been established. ‘VT,’ which sells products curated directly by beauty influencer ‘Pony,’ who also serves as a Lotte Duty Free model and sources popular overseas brands, has entered the industry for the first time.

Through the opening of this Smart Store, Lotte Duty Free expects to increase customer shopping convenience through advanced technology and to bring a new wave of change amid the recent downturn in consumer sentiment caused by COVID-19. Starting with the Smart Store opening at the Myeongdong Main Store, Lotte Duty Free plans to expand to other offline stores domestically and internationally.

Lee Gap, CEO of Lotte Duty Free, said, “The Lotte Duty Free Smart Store is the industry’s first future-oriented store where a new digital experience is possible, making its significance special,” and added, “Lotte Duty Free will continue to strive to provide innovative shopping services.” Leading the evolution.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.