Experience the Future of Retail at The Hyundai Seoul

The world has already released a paradigm of new technologies in recent years such as autonomous driving, artificial intelligence, and Metaverse. Globally, South Korea is one of the countries where these technologies have developed rapidly. The new paradigm can be easily seen in our daily lives in Seoul. In particular, I’d like to introduce what’s happening in retail stores by introducing you to some new technologies at The Hyundai Seoul. This is where you can experience and see changes in daily lifestyles thanks to new technology easily.    

Let’s see what’s going on!

Uncommon Store: A Check-Out Free Store at The Hyundai Seoul

Did you know that there is a fully-operational store here in Seoul where you can experience the future of retail for yourself?

Background on Uncommon Store

The first thing I would like to introduce is the Uncommon Store at The Hyundai Department Store. Uncommon Store is an unstaffed store based on Amazon web service-based application technology and its own research technology such as artificial intelligence and machine learning. 

The store has been created by Hyundai IT&E, the IT solution service unit of retail giant Hyundai Department Store Group. And the store concept was created by the design studio Atelier Archi@mosphere and local architecture together with the Amazon Web Service.

How it Works

The store has an innovative cashier-free system that automatically charges customers when they leave the store with what they want to buy through hundreds of sensors. There is no form of checkout needed, at all!

Before visiting the store, customers are required to install an app, register, and log in. If you scan the QR code on the application, enter the store, and take a product with you, you will be automatically charged within 3 minutes.

It’s one of the most innovative technologies that the public can experience. You don’t need cash, bank cards, or even the standard mobile payment.

Special Points

Uncommon Store provides an innovative and differentiated shopping experience. With this, it is attracting great attention from people all over Korea. Of course, Uncommon Store’s main customer base has been Millennials and Generation Z.  

This innovative lifestyle shop sells more than 200 products. Products include fashion goods, household goods, food, and beverages. In Particular, you can find the most popular local convenience store products, which is nice. 

Thanks to the new shopping experience and innovative technology, the number of visitors to the store has recently surpassed 100,000. The popularity of the Uncommon Store is mainly due to providing a differentiated shopping experience that cannot be found in other existing department stores. The young generation prefers to search for products on their own. The concept of the store has great matching points with MZ generation in Korea.    

There is news that it is considering opening its second store to provide customers with a new experience in the future. 

Robot Information Desk at The Hyundai Seoul

Another thing I would like to introduce is the information desk robot. In The Hyundai Seoul, robots show directions to people. This information robot provides guidance on major facilities in the department store and has a “destination companion service”. This goes to destinations customers would like to find together with them. If you say the destination in front of the robot, you can see that it recognizes the voice and takes the customer to the destination.

The guide robot is equipped with complex functions such as advertisements, security, and docents as well as visitor guidance. It is equipped with a 27-inch display on the front and back and provides customized advertisements while visiting customers. 

I would like to recommend you to go there and have a new shopping experience there!

The Hyundai Seoul (더현대서울)

Address:   108, Yeoui-daero, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul
Korean Address: 서울시 여의대로108 더현대 서울
Opening Hours: Mon-Thu: 10:30 AM - 8:00 PM
Fri-Sun: 10:30 Am - 8:30 PM

Want to learn more about cool new technologies in South Korea? Click Here to read about the robot cafes in Daejeon!