16-Language Interpretation Support Service
42% of Foreign Tourists Shopped at Olive Young Last Year
CJ Olive Young announced on the 18th that it has introduced portable translators capable of real-time interpretation in 16 languages at its stores nationwide. The aim is to provide a better shopping environment for foreign customers and improve the work efficiency of store staff.
With the popularity of K-content fueling increased interest in K-beauty, Olive Young stores have become an essential shopping destination for foreign tourists. Last year, the number of purchases by foreign customers at Olive Young that received post-tax refund benefits reached 3.7 million. Considering that approximately 8.8 million foreigners visited Korea for tourism purposes last year, about 42% of tourists visited Olive Young.
An Olive Young Myeongdong Town employee is assisting foreign customers using a portable translator introduced in stores nationwide. [Photo by Olive Young]
Accordingly, Olive Young’s sales to foreigners have surged. Foreign customer sales increased by about 660% compared to the previous year and have grown more than fourfold compared to 2019, before COVID-19. In addition to traditional tourist areas such as Myeongdong, Hongdae, and Dongdaemun, global customers have also frequently visited locations like Gangnam, Seongsu, Busan, and Jeju. Unlike the past when Chinese visitors accounted for a large proportion, the customer base has recently diversified to include Japan, Southeast Asia, English-speaking countries, and the Middle East.
The portable translators installed in Olive Young stores support simultaneous interpretation in 16 languages, including English, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Russian, and Mongolian. Using the camera built into the translator, customers can also use real-time translation services. Since it translates the contents of photos or captured screens, it can easily and accurately recommend products or ingredients that customers are looking for. Frequently asked questions and conversation records are saved and can be used for prompt responses.
An Olive Young official stated, “We introduced portable translators at stores nationwide to provide services where language is not a barrier for foreign customers visiting Olive Young. Through this, we aim to create opportunities for K-beauty small and medium-sized enterprise brands to be known to more people around the world and expand into the global market.”
Meanwhile, Olive Young plans to strengthen marketing efforts to attract inbound tourists and globalize K-beauty by establishing foreigner-exclusive promotions this year, offering various discount coupons, and focusing on developing global tourist commercial districts.
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