Convenience Store CU Expands Unmanned Multifunction Device Service to 500 Locations

Maximum Monthly Usage per Store 18,000 Cases
Next-Generation Multifunction Device Reduces Volume by Over Half to Enhance Efficiency
Professional Company Supports from Installation to Operation
Provides Convenience Services through Infrastructure at Over 14,000 CU Locations

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Hye-sun] BGF Retail's convenience store CU announced on the 16th that it is expanding its unmanned multifunction device service in partnership with comprehensive rental company AJ Networks to 500 stores nationwide, the largest scale in the industry.

The CU unmanned multifunction device service allows copying, printing, faxing, and scanning, as well as using a PC linked to the multifunction device to directly download and print or send electronic documents such as resident registration certificates and language test scores from websites or the cloud.

CU first introduced the unmanned multifunction device service in 2015 and has operated the service in about 100 stores mainly in one-room apartment areas, university districts, and residential neighborhoods. Based on the convenience store infrastructure, it added public office functions in local neighborhoods to enable simple document tasks outside offices or campuses.

According to CU, the unmanned multifunction device service recorded up to about 18,000 uses per store per month, showing the second highest usage rate (based on operating stores) among the 20 or so lifestyle services operated by CU, following parcel delivery.

In particular, due to the recent impact of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the increase in remote work, some stores located in residential areas generated additional monthly sales of up to 2.2 million KRW through this service alone. About 78.8% of customers using the service were found to purchase additional products, resulting in a high customer attraction effect.

As consumer demand and the effect of increasing franchise store sales became clear, CU improved the existing unmanned multifunction devices to next-generation unmanned multifunction devices and began expanding the service.

The next-generation unmanned multifunction device integrates the PC and multifunction device to reduce the device volume by more than half compared to the existing one, enabling operation even in small stores. It also features a multilingual support system so that international students, tourists, and other foreigners can use it. Additionally, installation, repairs, and consumable replacements are all outsourced to specialized partners, relieving franchise owners and store employees of operational burdens. Payments are also made directly by customers through terminals installed on the multifunction devices.

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