This innovative store aims to maximize customer engagement through advanced retail technology while introducing popular Korean snacks and foods to international visitors. (Image courtesy of GS Retail)
SEOUL, Aug. 21 (Korea Bizwire) – In a bold fusion of tradition and technology, a new ‘K-convenience store’ has opened its doors in Seoul’s historic Insadong district, offering visitors a unique blend of Korean culture and cutting-edge retail experiences.
GS Retail, the operator of the GS25 convenience store chain, unveiled its latest venture, Ground Blue 49, on August 21.
Located within the ‘Hello Insadong’ cultural complex in Jongno-gu, this innovative store aims to maximize customer engagement through advanced retail technology while introducing popular Korean snacks and foods to international visitors.
The store’s name, Ground Blue 49, combines GS25′s signature rich blue color with the street number of Hello Insadong, embodying the concept of a futuristic playground.
An ice cream robot is installed at Ground Blue 49, a GS25 smart technology experience store in Insadong, Jongno-gu, Seoul. (Image courtesy of GS Retail)
Spanning 220 square meters, the store is divided into distinct zones, including a retail tech area, a K-food station, and a K-noodle challenge station.
Upon entering, customers are greeted by robots crafting pizzas, cafe lattes, and ice cream in the retail tech zone. The area also features a cotton candy machine and a photo card printing kiosk, highlighting the store’s focus on interactive experiences.
GS Retail plans to use this location as a testbed for commercializing various retail technologies, positioning it at the forefront of convenience store innovation.
Ground Blue 49, a GS25 smart technology experience store, also serves as a hub for foreign tourists. The store’s K-food station showcases popular products such as HBAF nuts from Korea’s largest nut brand, traditional Sikhye (a rice-based beverage), seaweed, banana milk, and pouch coffee—all favorites among international visitors.
Catering to the influx of international tourists, the K-food station showcases a curated selection of popular Korean snacks and beverages. Products from HBAF, Korea’s largest nut brand, are displayed alongside traditional rice drinks, seaweed, banana milk, and pouch coffee – items that have gained popularity among foreign visitors.
The store also features informational displays explaining popular K-food combinations favored by international consumers, serving as a cultural guide to Korean cuisine.
A pizza robot delivers an ordered pizza to a customer at Ground Blue 49, a GS25 smart technology experience store in Insadong, Jongno-gu, Seoul.
Drawing inspiration from the viral trend of K-ramen mukbang content, the K-noodle challenge station offers a range of instant noodles categorized into four spice levels, from mild to extremely spicy.
Kim Cheon-ju, head of the convenience store support division at GS Retail, emphasized the store’s unique positioning. “Ground Blue 49 is distinctive in offering a spectrum of services and experiences in one space, from cutting-edge retail tech to K-foods popular among foreigners.” Kim stated.
“Our goal is to provide unforgettable, special experiences and memories that can only be had offline, establishing this as Seoul’s new landmark convenience store.”
This innovative store aims to maximize customer engagement through advanced retail technology while introducing popular Korean snacks and foods to international visitors.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
