Operation of '24-Hour Neighborhood Supermarket' Gwangjin-Type 'Smart Super' Pilot Project

Conversion to Smart Supermarkets: Store Owners Manage Daytime, Unmanned at Night... Expecting Triple Benefits of Reduced Working Hours, Nighttime Labor Cost Savings, and Increased Late-Night Sales

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Gwangjin-gu (Mayor Kim Seongap) is promoting a pilot project for the ‘Gwangjin-type Smart Supermarket,’ which can operate 24 hours using a nighttime unmanned system to strengthen the competitiveness of small business owner supermarkets.

The ‘Gwangjin-type Smart Supermarket’ project is a new neighborhood supermarket model that introduces smart technology and equipment to respond to changes in the non-face-to-face and digital distribution environment, operated directly by the owner during the day and unmanned at night.

Accordingly, the district will select pilot stores from March 22 to April 12, targeting neighborhood supermarkets and Nadle stores under 165㎡ (50 pyeong).

The district plans to select 15 stores per neighborhood by the end of April through a first document evaluation and a second on-site evaluation, and the selected stores will begin operation from July through the installation of smart devices and facility renovations.

The selected stores will be supported with smart technology and equipment necessary for unmanned store operation, such as access authentication devices, unmanned checkout counters, liquor sales locking devices, cigarette sales separation shutters, information display boards, and other security equipment (CCTV), as well as LED lighting, automatic doors, interior renovations, and signage to improve aging facilities.

Additionally, consulting for smart supermarket operation, marketing education, and opportunities to apply for linked low-interest loans will be provided.

When operating unmanned, customers use credit or debit cards and go through a check-in process with an access authentication device located at the entrance to enter, then pay using a self-checkout counter after shopping.

When the owner leaves, they switch the cigarette sales stand and liquor refrigerator to the unmanned operation system using a smartphone, which converts them to door lock devices.

The owner can check inside the store anytime through CCTV, and if a problem occurs, an alarm sounds inside the store to prevent theft.

Kim Seongap, Mayor of Gwangjin-gu, said, “Through the opening of the Gwangjin-type Smart Supermarket, we aim to respond to consumer changes preferring non-face-to-face services,” adding, “It is expected that operating unmanned at night will reduce labor costs and increase sales by extending sales hours.”

He continued, “There may be fears about the smart supermarket, which is being experienced for the first time, but if the owner has the will to change and actively participates, it will bring positive results.”

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