A customer shopping using the “CU Mode” on the Sullivan Plus app. (Image source: Courtesy of BGF Retail)
SEOUL, Aug. 7 (Korea Bizwire) — BGF Retail, operator of South Korea’s CU convenience stores, announced on Thursday a new accessibility initiative designed to assist visually impaired customers with in-store shopping.
In partnership with social venture Tuat, the company has integrated a CU-specific mode into the Android version of Sullivan Plus, an AI-powered visual assistance app developed by Tuat. The “CU Mode” provides real-time voice guidance on key information such as product names, prices, shelf locations, and promotional details like “buy one, get one free” offers.
Until now, visually impaired shoppers have relied largely on limited tactile cues, such as container shapes or Braille labels—methods that often require assistance from store staff, particularly when identifying sale items.
With CU Mode, customers at more than 18,600 CU stores nationwide can receive hands-free, spoken navigation of store layouts and product data, reducing dependence on staff and enhancing shopping independence.
Choi Min-geon, head of BGF Retail’s ESG team, noted that the feature was developed based on extensive feedback from visually impaired users during interviews and test runs. “We hope this service lowers the psychol
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
