From Meals to Picnics... Connect Place Seoul Station Branch Sales Up 39%

One Year After Renovation, Sales Up 39% Compared to Pre-COVID
Transformed into a Leisure Spot and Nearby Office Workers' Destination After Business Trips

Hanwha Connect announced on the 11th that Connect Place Seoul Station's sales have increased by 39% compared to 2019, the year just before the COVID-19 outbreak, only one year after being renovated into a complex shopping and cultural space. It is evaluated that the transformation from a mall in front of the station, where people briefly stay to catch trains, into a leisure space where business travelers to Seoul and nearby office workers can take time to recharge was effective.

Connect Place Seoul Station Rooftop Garden
[Photo by Hanwha Connect].

According to Hanwha Connect, Connect Place Seoul Station's sales grew by 39% over one year after the renewal (April 2022 to March 2023) compared to 2019, before COVID-19 (based on sales from the renovated floors B1, 1st, and 4th floors). Compared to 2021, the year just before the renewal which was affected by COVID-19, sales jumped by 81.5%.

Hanwha Connect analyzed that this sales improvement was influenced not only by the overall increase in foot traffic due to the endemic (periodic spread of infectious diseases) but also by the emergence of 'Bleisure'?a new trend of enjoying leisure after business trips?and the fact that nearby office workers are spending more time here for meals and rest.

Connect Place Seoul Station, recognizing that business customers such as companies with frequent business trips, government officials, and nearby office workers visit often, renovated the 4th floor last April into a premium concept space targeting business customers. Premium food and beverage (F&B) brands such as Hanwadam Station (aged Korean beef) and Tani (fusion Japanese cuisine) were attracted.

Famous dessert shops were also brought in, including Taegukdang, the oldest bakery in Seoul; Brick Sand, known for its brick-shaped financier desserts; and Geumokdang, a handmade yanggaeng (traditional Korean jelly) specialty store, contributing to the sales increase. Each brand also created separate premium gift sets featuring their signature menu items, targeting Seoul Station customers.

On the 4th floor, visitors can freely enjoy exhibitions held in collaboration with Gallery 4th Street. Exiting through the Connect Place Seoul Station parking lot, visitors can also freely view the public art project "Docking Seoul," which utilizes the closed ramp facility space. A rooftop garden has been created with parasols and benches as a resting area. It is also connected to Seoul 7017, allowing visitors to enjoy a walk. When purchasing picnic sets consisting of sandwiches and pasta at Cafe Insinhyeon-ri Artisan Garden, picnic supplies are also available for rent.

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