The 220-square-meter store, called "GroundBlue49," recently opened in Insa-dong, Seoul’s center of traditional culture and arts, the leading convenience store chain said Wednesday.
The company plans to use the location as a testbed for commercializing new retail technologies.
The store consists of various sections, including Retail Tech Zone where robots prepare pizza, coffee and ice cream. It also houses a cotton candy machine and a photo card printer.
Catering to foreign tourists, K-Food Station offers popular Korean snacks and drinks, such as sikhye (sweet rice drink), seaweed, banana milk and pouch coffee.
The store also includes K-Noodle Challenge Station, inspired by the popularity of Korean instant noodle-eating shows among foreigners. Ramyeon is displayed in four spice levels, from mild to extremely spicy.
“GroundBlue49 is characterized by its ability to offer a variety of services and experiential elements in one space, from cutting-edge retail tech to K-foods favored by foreigners,” said Kim Cheon-ju, head of GS Retail’s convenience store support division.
“We will establish it as Seoul’s new landmark convenience store, providing unforgettable special experiences and memories that can only be had offline.”