"Woodworking Experience While Watching Dancing Sculptures" AK Plaza Gwangmyeong Branch, 'Evolution of the Mall'

The 'Kinetic Art' installed on the ceiling of AK Plaza Gwangmyeong Branch stands 33 meters tall, equivalent to the height of an 11-story apartment building. From 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., it showcases dazzling movements accompanied by various theme songs for about 10 minutes every hour on the hour.

[Asia Economy Reporter Yuri Kim] On the 27th, at AK Plaza Gwangmyeong in Iljik-dong, Gwangmyeong-si, Gyeonggi Province. As the clock pointed to 2 PM, the music playing throughout the store suddenly stopped, and the 'hourly theme song' began to play. At the same time, the 'kinetic art' installation, stretching 33 meters from the central ceiling of the store down to the basement, started to create a dazzling display. Customers drinking coffee on the second basement floor and visitors browsing the fourth-floor food court all stopped in their tracks to look up at the approximately 900 LED balls emitting colorful lights in sync with the melody.

◇The Evolution of Shopping Malls "Like Department Stores"

AK Plaza Gwangmyeong focused on creating a store environment that becomes a part of customers' daily lives?places they visit frequently and stay longer?rather than immediate sales. First, they secured wide customer pathways comparable to those in department stores. The main floor, the first basement level, has pathways up to 9 meters wide. AK Plaza stated, "We designed generous walking distances," adding, "It is comfortable for families with strollers or those walking with dogs."

Home appliance and furniture stores, rarely found in typical shopping malls, were also introduced. On the second basement floor, Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics stores face each other, attracting many customers seeking purchase consultations from the very first day of the pre-opening. Home interior specialty stores such as Casamia, Incasa, Downing General Hall, and LX Hausys were also brought in on a large scale, covering up to 1,322㎡ (approximately 400 pyeong).

Art experience stores have also been strengthened. In addition to the drawing cafe 'Seongsu Misulgwan,' which was introduced at AK Plaza Bundang Branch, the 'France Mokgongso,' where customers can create their own furniture, is also being launched for the first time.

◇Emphasis on Customer Experience and Healing Spaces

The store also prioritized experiential spaces, the greatest strength of offline shopping malls, by placing them prominently. Gwangmyeong branch introduced the experiential store 'France Wood Workshop' on the prime viewing spot of the second basement floor, where customers can make their own furniture. Here, visitors can create and keep their own wood lamps and daily accessories. The drawing caf? 'Seongsu Art Museum,' where customers can enjoy art experiences while drinking beverages, was first introduced at AK Plaza Bundang in April, becoming popular through word of mouth.

The interior emphasizes 'greenterior,' allowing shoppers to feel nature indoors. The 1,653㎡ 'Food Terrace' on the second basement floor features decking and artificial turf, with table seating and bench-style seats, giving an outdoor-like atmosphere.

◇Targeting Moms in Their 30s and 40s with Kids

Reflecting the residential characteristics of Gwangmyeong, as well as nearby Siheung and Anyang, Gwangmyeong branch targets family customers in their 30s and 40s as the main demographic. On the first basement floor, the playground kids caf? 'Champion The Energizer' and the premium kids English membership club 'Promom Kinder Reserve' were established, with children's fashion stores located between them. Champion The Energizer at Gwangmyeong is a large-scale store of 992㎡ and, unlike other stores, includes a 'Toddler Zone' for children aged 2 to 3 years.

The third floor 'Women's Lounge' features golf equipment stores, which were previously mainly targeted at men, in a significant portion. 'Lukete80,' operated by the fitness group 'Lukete,' offers kids Pilates for children, as well as prenatal and postnatal Pilates for pregnant women and infants. Additionally, experiential and entertainment, food & beverage (F&B), lifestyle fashion, sports, and miscellaneous goods stores that can be enjoyed by all ages make up 70% of the total store area. Gwangmyeong branch also aims to leverage its locational advantage, being only 500 meters from KTX Gwangmyeong Station and situated within the commercial district of the media & art complex 'U Planet.'

AK Plaza Gwangmyeong Branch features premium home appliances, comprehensive furniture, and a home interior specialty hall on the second basement floor. Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics, which were hard to find in shopping malls, have also opened stores here.

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