Illicafe "To Expand to 100 Stores Within 3 Years"

First 'Experience Exhibition' in Korea Opens in Hannam-dong
Franchise Consultation Provided... Gift Worth 790,000 KRW Offered

Kim Dong-jun, Vice Chairman of Qloo Group, is delivering a congratulatory speech at the Illy Cafe new product showcase and the 30th anniversary experiential exhibition of the Art Collection, held on the afternoon of the 14th at Eum Gallery in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by Moon Hye-won

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Hyewon] "We plan to increase the number of Illy Cafe stores in Korea from about 30 to 100 within 2 to 3 years."

On the afternoon of the 14th, Kim Dongjun, Vice Chairman of Quro Group, met with reporters at the new product showcase and the 30th anniversary experiential exhibition of the Art Collection held at Eum Gallery in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, and made this announcement.

Illy Cafe is a coffee chain of the Italian coffee brand Illy, located in major cities across 34 countries worldwide. Illy Cafe Korea has an exclusive contract with Quro Group. Starting with a test store opened in Apgujeong in 2007, the number of stores has gradually increased, and currently, 32 stores are operating in Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Incheon, and other locations.

Vice Chairman Kim said, "I am pleased that the exhibition is being held for the first time in Korea among Asian countries," adding, "We will strive to showcase Italian coffee culture and Illy's artistic spirit through various activities and ensure that more Korean consumers can enjoy Illy Cafe's coffee in more places."

On the afternoon of the 14th, the 'illy Art Collection,' composed of about 100 cups, is exhibited at the Illy Cafe new product showcase and the 30th anniversary experiential exhibition of the Art Collection held at Eum Gallery in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by Moon Hyewon

The exhibition runs for four days until the 17th. At the exhibition hall, the ‘Illy Art Collection,’ composed of about 100 cups, is centrally displayed, and ‘The Milk of Dreams,’ created by six artists featured at the 59th International Art Collection Biennale, is also exhibited. In particular, visitors can experience the world-renowned video art artist Nam June Paik's Art Collection. This work was released as a limited edition in 1996 and is now rare and hard to find.

In addition, visitors can taste and enjoy various coffee beans, including franchise consultations and the newly introduced premium lineup capsule machines, ‘X1-Anniversary’ and ‘Milk Frother.’ Among the exhibition participants, gifts worth up to 790,000 KRW will be provided through a raffle.