Turning Gas Stations into Urban Logistics Hubs... Naver and SK Energy Launch 'The Chakan Taekbae'

Lee Yoon-sook, CEO of Naver Forest CIC (left), and Oh Jong-hoon, CEO of SK Energy P&M CIC (right), are taking a commemorative photo after signing a business agreement on the 22nd at the SK Seorin Building in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Naver

[Asia Economy Reporter Yuri Choi] SK Energy, the petroleum business subsidiary of Naver and SK Innovation, is launching a delivery service that utilizes gas stations as urban logistics hubs.

On the 23rd, Naver and SK Energy announced that they signed a business agreement for "joint development of urban logistics services and future technology cooperation." The two companies will collaborate to reduce the logistics burden on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and to develop future logistics technology and infrastructure.

As part of this, they will operate 'The Better Delivery' starting early next year. They plan to consolidate products from various SMEs operating on Naver Smart Store for joint collection to improve logistics efficiency. Using Goodsflow, in which SK Energy has invested, they will collect products from SMEs at their locations and deliver them to consumers through delivery companies. After a pilot operation in some areas of Seoul early next year, they plan to gradually expand the service area.

In the mid to long term, Naver and SK Energy will establish urban fulfillment logistics centers (MFCs) on SK gas station sites. MFCs are services that handle the entire logistics process from product storage to delivery by utilizing logistics spaces within the city. If gas station-based MFCs expand, SMEs will be able to store products at nearby logistics centers and then deliver them. Accordingly, the companies expect fast delivery services such as same-day arrival to become more active. They are also planning new business models combined with local communities where gas station-based MFCs are established. These include joint purchases at competitive prices or real-time live commerce that can deliver immediately upon customer orders.

Additionally, the two companies will continue to cooperate on future logistics technology innovations such as demand forecasting, urban logistics center automation, and delivery innovation by utilizing artificial intelligence (AI), cloud, and robotics.

Yoon Sook Lee, CEO of Naver Forest CIC, said, "By collaborating on logistics automation and AI demand forecasting efficiency, we will expand customer-tailored logistics centered on SMEs. We will also strive to create opportunities for new forms of commerce business to emerge."

Jonghoon Oh, CEO of SK Energy P&M CIC, said, "We are focusing on the new role of gas stations in consumers' daily lives to strengthen eco-friendly urban logistics services utilizing gas stations. Based on cooperation with Naver, we aim to contribute to expanding logistics infrastructure that benefits both consumers and small business owners."

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