Lotte Department Store Gwangju, Store Reorganization Tailored to Customer Demand Progressing Smoothly

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Shin Dong-ho] Lotte Department Store Gwangju Branch is undergoing a store renovation to secure new customers and future core customers. This is due to the accelerated redevelopment of the old downtown area of Gwangju Metropolitan City.

According to Lotte Department Store Gwangju Branch on the 23rd, the food section was newly renovated into a premium food hall called ‘Food Avenue’ and introduced to local residents in January.

The complete renewal of the food section was carried out for the first time in 11 years. Amid the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic causing difficulties in the offline market overall, the bold investment for the renewal sparked diverse opinions within the industry at the time.

However, the evaluation two months after the food hall opening is generally positive.

The ‘Jeonnam-do Local Food Specialty Hall,’ the first of its kind in the industry as a specialty hall, and ‘Gwangju Kitchen,’ a ready-to-cook store using fresh ingredients from the southern region, are receiving great love from local housewives. Also, the food court, which houses many famous local restaurants such as ‘Jejudang,’ ‘Apilco,’ and ‘Hankki,’ has become a hot place in the region through SNS.

Along with positive evaluations, the effects are also significant.

Located in the relatively underdeveloped old downtown of Gwangju, the proportion of customers in their teens and twenties was low, but after the food section renewal, young customers under their twenties can now be easily seen in the store.

In fact, from January to March this year, the number of purchasing customers in their teens and twenties at the food section of Lotte Department Store Gwangju Branch increased by 21% compared to the previous year. During the same period, food sales also reportedly increased significantly.

The changes at Lotte Department Store Gwangju Branch, now in its 23rd year since opening, are expected to continue throughout this year to maximize the synergy effect of the food hall renewal and to become the representative department store of the region.

First, the product categories on the 1st to 3rd floors were adjusted, and the store was newly opened on the 9th.

The jewelry store located on the 1st floor moved to the 2nd floor, and the shoe store on the 2nd floor moved to the 3rd floor.

Through this, the 1st floor will be transformed into a foreign luxury brand specialty hall, the 2nd floor into a luxury space through premiumization, and the 3rd floor into a sophisticated shopping space for women. In the second half of this year, foreign luxury and premium brands will be reinforced.

Along with this, trendy brands in young fashion, sports, and golf product categories will be significantly strengthened this year.

Nayeon, the head of Lotte Department Store Gwangju Branch, said, “Now, department stores are changing from simply places to sell goods into spaces to experience newness and enjoyment,” and added, “We will repay the love of local residents through store renovations that reflect customers’ lifestyles.”

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