This undated file photo provided by BGF Retail Co. shows a temporary tattoo applied to a customer’s inner forearm at a CU convenience store in Seoul. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, June 11 (Korea Bizwire) — In a country where convenience stores have become cultural fixtures — offering everything from late-night ramen to phone charging stations — BGF Retail, the operator of CU, is taking things one step further: temporary tattoos.
On Wednesday, BGF Retail unveiled what it’s calling the industry’s first “tattoo kiosk,” a novelty device aimed at transforming the traditional shopping experience. Tucked inside select CU convenience stores, the sleek, interactive machine lets customers apply a temporary tattoo to their skin in just one to two seconds using a rolling applicator.
But this isn’t just fun and games. The kiosk offers more than 100 designs, many of them inspired by Korean cultural themes — think traditional palaces, fierce tigers, and playful motifs that blend modern street style with historical aesthetics. And for travelers looking to take home more than just snacks, the kiosk supports English, Chinese, and Japanese, signaling a broader push to appeal to international customers.
The tattoos are printed using cosmetic-grade pigment ink that complies with South Korean safety standards and typically last up to two days — just long enough to show off on social media without committing to the real thing.
For BGF Retail, it’s all part of a broader strategy to evolve CU stores from mere retail outlets into lifestyle spaces where interaction and discovery take center stage. “We will continue to introduce services tailored to evolving customer needs, expanding the role of CU convenience stores,” the company said in a statement.
This isn’t CU’s first foray into experiential retail. Last year, the brand rolled out capsule toy machines and smoothie stations — both of which proved popular with younger customers seeking bite-sized entertainment alongside their bottled water and kimbap.
With 18,600 domestic locations and growing international presence in Mongolia, Malaysia, and Kazakhstan, CU is staking a claim not just in convenience, but in culture. As the boundaries between commerce and experience continue to blur, your next visit to the corner store might just leave a mark — literally.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
