LG Electronics Operates 9 'Nighttime Unmanned Stores'... First Case for an Appliance Company

Operating Hours from 8:30 PM to Midnight on Weekdays and Weekends for 9 LG Best Shops in Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi, and Busan

Models are scanning QR codes at the entrance to complete the identity verification process before entering the store.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyewon] LG Electronics announced that it will operate unmanned stores starting from the 26th, marking the first case among domestic home appliance companies.

The LG Best Shops operated as unmanned stores by LG Electronics during nighttime hours include a total of nine locations: six stores in Seoul?Gangseo Main Store, Geumcheon Main Store, Bongcheon Store, Bulgwang Main Store, Ssangmun Main Store, Seocho Main Store?as well as Bupyeong District Office Store in Incheon, Ilsan Main Store in Gyeonggi, and Sasang Main Store in Busan.

The unmanned stores operate from 8:30 PM to midnight after employees leave, consistently on weekdays as well as weekends.

Reflecting the growing trend of customer demand for non-face-to-face consultations and unmanned stores, LG Electronics has taken a bold step. Customers can enter the store after scanning a QR code at the entrance for identity verification. Inside the store, customers are free to experience the products. If detailed product information is needed, customers can use kiosks installed throughout the store or access the LG Electronics website or mobile app 'LGE.COM' via their smartphones to search.

Models are using kiosks in unmanned stores to check product information.

When customers inquire about product information or store usage methods through the one-on-one consultation menu on each store’s KakaoTalk channel, they receive immediate responses. Additionally, customers who require face-to-face consultation with staff can make a reservation via the kiosk and revisit during staff working hours for consultation. The unmanned stores are also useful for customers who have had face-to-face consultations and want to see the products once more before making a purchase decision.

Before fully launching the unmanned stores, a pilot operation was conducted at one store during nighttime hours. Customers gave positive feedback such as "It’s nice to be able to visit multiple times comfortably without pressure," "I was able to freely experience products other than the ones I intended to buy," and "Experiencing the products thoroughly increased my purchase intention."

LG Electronics plans to analyze customer responses and operational results from multiple perspectives and expand the number of unmanned stores and their operating hours in the future.

Oh Seungjin, Head of Korea Strategy at LG Electronics Korea Sales Headquarters, said, "We launched unmanned stores to quickly respond to customers’ preference for contactless experiences and to enable convenient shopping without face-to-face consultations," adding, "This will provide an opportunity for customers to have new experiences and become more familiar with LG Electronics products and stores."

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