39 Nationwide Pilot Stores Selected for Smart Technology Implementation Including Gimje Traditional Market

Smart Technologies Adoption Including Smart Mirrors, Kiosks, and Serving Robots
Promoting Smart Transformation of Small Business Owners in Major Shopping Districts and Traditional Markets Nationwide

Interior view of Smart Super No. 1 located in Sadang-dong, Dongjak-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] The Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced on the 7th that it has selected a total of 39 smart pilot shopping districts to promote non-face-to-face and digitalization among small business owners.

The newly selected smart pilot shopping districts consist of 19 complex-type locations combining smart technology and smart order systems, and 20 general-type locations implementing only smart order systems, following the 74 shopping districts selected in the first half of this year.

The 19 complex-type pilot shopping districts will mainly introduce smart technologies that can bring management innovation to small business owners, such as smart mirrors and 3D printers. The 20 general-type pilot shopping districts will establish smart order systems that enable non-face-to-face ordering using mobile devices and QR codes.

Additionally, digital signage that guides store locations, products handled, and local attractions will be distributed to a total of six pilot shopping districts.

The ‘Welcome City’ shopping district in Jung-gu, Ulsan, selected as the first smart pilot shopping district in Ulsan, is expected to lead the digitalization of the Ulsan area through the introduction of smart mirrors and kiosks. Other selected shopping districts include Gimje Traditional Market, Chungju Muhak Market, and Pohang Yeongildae Beach shopping district, representing various regions nationwide.

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups plans to distribute smart technologies and order systems to stores within the selected pilot shopping districts by the end of this year. Furthermore, based on the performance and analysis results of the smart technology during the project implementation, they plan to improve operational shortcomings and expand distribution focusing on technologies that can help small business owners innovate their management.

Shin Jaekyung, Head of Smart Small Business Promotion at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, said, “We expect that supporting the distribution of smart technologies will enable small business owners to secure competitiveness,

and we will continue to promote the digitalization of small business owners in the future.”

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