Operation of Service Centers and Vehicle Repair Shops
Homeplus announced on the 11th that it will enhance customer convenience and strengthen offline competitiveness by focusing on automobile-related tenants.
As a result of analyzing the means of transportation used by customers at large marts, Homeplus found that the number of visitors arriving by car is about twice the number of those arriving on foot annually. Accordingly, Homeplus is putting effort into automobile service tenants for customer convenience. While existing shopping malls offered spaces for staying and experiencing with entertainment such as kids cafes, swimming, and golf, Homeplus plans to increase foot traffic by adding convenience through automobile services.
Notably, the Homeplus Yeongdeungpo branch houses a Mercedes-Benz service center, the Gangdong and Siheung branches have BMW Fastlane service centers, and the Namhyeon branch hosts a Jeep and Peugeot integrated service center. The Jeep and Peugeot integrated service center at the Namhyeon branch, which opened last September, is located in a shop-in-shop format in the basement level 3 parking lot of Homeplus, providing easy vehicle access. It receives over 900 service requests monthly, and customers enjoy shopping at Homeplus stores during the approximately two-hour maintenance period.
About 80 stores also have automobile repair shops such as Auto Oasis and Bullsone Specialty. Imported car-exclusive repair shops operate at branches like Yeongdeungpo and Geumcheon. Considering the recent increase in the domestic imported car market share, Homeplus plans to gradually expand these services.
'Jeep·Peugeot Integrated Service Center' located on the B3 floor of Homeplus Namhyeon Branch in Gwanak-gu, Seoul [Photo by Homeplus]
T’Station, a total automobile service specialty store focused on tires, is also popular. The T’Station at the Songdo branch sees more than 400 customers monthly, with sales in November increasing by 26% compared to the same period last year. The Hyundai Motor Driving Lounge test centers at Yeongdeungpo and Ansan Gojan branches also conduct about 400 test drives monthly.
Car wash centers operate at about 80 stores, including Bullsone Wash & Care and Sonax Car Care. Additionally, the number of electric vehicle chargers installed in parking lots nationwide has increased about 14 times compared to two years ago.
Demand for Homeplus automobile product corners is also rising. Sales of car wash chemicals and car wash supplies from March to November increased by up to 18% compared to the same period last year. Popular private brand (PB) automobile products include ‘Homeplus Signature Ethanol Washer Fluid,’ ‘Homeplus Signature Silicone Water-Repellent Wiper,’ and ‘Homeplus Signature Multipurpose Car Wash Towel.’
A Homeplus representative said, "Since many customers visit large marts by car, we aim to enhance customer convenience through automobile-related services and further focus on attracting offline customers. We hope customers enjoy more convenient shopping at Homeplus, where they can use various automobile services while also doing their grocery shopping."
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