Songpa-gu Neighborhood Mart Transforms into a 'Smart Super'

Support for Technology and Equipment Enabling Unmanned Operation in Small Business Marts... Applications Open Until the 16th... Enhancing Competitiveness through Sales Growth, Business Improvement, and Better Working Conditions by Securing Leisure Time

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Songpa-gu (Mayor Park Seong-su) is supporting smart technology and equipment that enable 24-hour unmanned operation for small-scale stores run by local small business owners, aiming to strengthen competitiveness in store management.

The district announced that it will promote the 'Smart Supermarket Development Project' targeting local small business owner-operated marts struggling with management due to COVID-19.

The ‘Smart Supermarket’ project introduces and supports an unmanned operation method where consumers select items and make payments by themselves using credit or debit cards during nighttime hours when the store owner is absent.

The district is recruiting 20 neighborhood supermarkets under 165㎡ to participate in the ‘Smart Supermarket Development Project’ until April 16.

Selected stores will have unmanned operation systems installed, including ▲access authentication devices ▲unmanned checkout counters ▲information display boards ▲CCTV, etc. Additionally, liquor and cigarette sales counters will be separated with locks and partition walls installed.

The district expects that the introduction of a 24-hour unmanned operation system will not only improve working conditions by securing leisure time for store owners but also align with the non-face-to-face consumption trend due to COVID-19.

Applicants can refer to the announcement on the Songpa-gu Office website, complete the application form and required documents, and submit them by mail, email, or in person to the Songpa-gu Office Regional Economy Division. The selection results will be individually notified by the end of May through document and on-site evaluations.

Park Seong-su, Mayor of Songpa-gu, said, “I hope this Smart Supermarket Development Project will help improve management, such as increasing sales of neighborhood stores,” and added, “We will continue to do our best to help small-scale small business owner stores gain competitiveness by responding to changes in the non-face-to-face and digital distribution environment.”