Lotte Hi-Mart Opens Digital Specialty Store 'Mega Store Gimpo Airport Branch'

At the digital experience zone located at the entrance of the Lotte Hi-Mart Megastore Gimpo Airport branch, visitors can try out various IT appliances such as personal media devices, console games, and gaming PCs. (Photo by Lotte Hi-Mart)

2,235㎡ (approx. 676 pyeong) Mega Store 'Mega Store Gimpo Airport Branch' Opens
Showcasing a Digital Experience Zone Featuring Console Games, Gaming PCs, and Solo Media Devices
Opening Celebration Offers Benefits Worth Up to 2.45 Million KRW Including Cashback and L.Points

[Asia Economy Reporter Yuri Kim] Lotte Hi-Mart announced on the 18th that it will open its 12th mega store, 'Mega Store Gimpo Airport Branch.'

The store is located in Banghwa-dong, Gangseo-gu, Seoul, with an area of 2,235㎡ (approximately 676 pyeong). Lotte Hi-Mart Mega Store Gimpo Airport Branch is designed with a digital experience store concept. Reflecting the latest trend of increased demand for digital appliances such as gaming PCs, console games, and VR devices as more people spend leisure time at home, known as the 'homebody generation.'

Due to the impact of COVID-19, outdoor activities sharply decreased from January last year to last month, a 17-month period. During this time, sales of digital appliances (desktop, laptop, tablet PC, console games, etc.) at Lotte Hi-Mart increased by 20% compared to the previous 17 months (August 2018 to December 2019). Gimpo Airport Branch, popular among consumers in their 20s and 30s, saw digital appliances account for 50% of total sales last year, indicating high demand for digital appliances at this store.

Lotte Hi-Mart's 'Mega Store Gimpo Airport Branch' is located on the basement first floor of Gimpo Airport Lotte Mall. At the store entrance, customers can find a digital experience zone. Visitors to the digital experience zone can directly try and consult on the latest digital appliances such as gaming PCs, console games, and solo media devices. Various brands' office PCs and gaming PCs, including Samsung, LG, MS, and Lenovo, are also available for hands-on experience. Popular overseas console games such as Nintendo, Xbox, and PlayStation are featured. A solo media space equipped with monitors, lighting, and cameras to assist in solo media content creation is also provided for direct experience and purchase.

There is also a premium brand specialty section. Premium brand zones for well-known manufacturers such as Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics allow consumers to consult and purchase by brand conveniently in one place. Plant cultivation devices that enable growing wellness vegetables like bok choy and lettuce are also available. Additionally, experience zones focused on kitchen and home appliances, health appliances, and more have been set up. The Apple authorized service center 'UBASE' is also located in the store to enhance customer convenience.

To celebrate the opening of 'Mega Store Gimpo Airport Branch,' Lotte Hi-Mart is offering various benefits including cashback from the 18th to the 27th for 10 days. Customers who purchase promotional products and pay with event cards will receive up to 750,000 KRW cashback depending on the purchase amount. Additionally, up to 400,000 KRW cashback is provided depending on the promotional product package purchased. Extra L.Point (L.POINT) rewards are also available. Regardless of brand or item, customers can earn up to 600,000 L.Points based on the purchase amount. Furthermore, purchasing two or more promotional products from famous manufacturers grants up to an additional 700,000 points depending on the purchase amount. Applying all benefits, customers can receive up to 2.45 million KRW worth of benefits.

Moon Chong, Head of MD Strategy Division at Lotte Hi-Mart, said, "Mega Store Gimpo Airport Branch is a digital-specialized store where the MZ generation can experience familiar console games, solo media devices, and various IT appliances. We will continue to open mega stores reflecting local commercial characteristics and trends so that consumers visiting Lotte Hi-Mart can experience not only appliances but also diverse cultural spaces."

Meanwhile, on the same day, the 13th mega store, Dongnae Branch, will also open in Oncheon-dong, Dongnae-gu, Busan. 'Mega Store Dongnae Branch' is 1,957㎡ (approximately 592 pyeong) and is the first mega store in the Busan area. Dongnae Branch features a separate digital experience zone where customers can try console games, gaming PCs, solo media appliances, and more. It also offers various experience spaces such as kitchen and home appliance issue product zones, VR experience zones, and a large home appliance premium brand zone.