'Lotte Department Store Nowon Branch, Ranked No.1 in Northeast Commercial Area, Undergoes Largest Renovation Ever'

Growth of Nowon Core Commercial District Spurs Expansion
'Lepicerie', 'Beauty Specialty Hall' and More to Open
Sequential Category Renovations Planned Through Next Year

Lotte Department Store announced on the 23rd that it will begin renovations of its Nowon branch, the number one department store in the northeastern Seoul commercial district, starting on the 24th. This is the first full-scale renovation since its opening, with 80% of the total sales area being revamped. By expanding its food section and brands targeting the MZ generation (Millennials + Generation Z), the store aims to establish itself as the top department store covering northeastern Seoul and the northern Gyeonggi region.

Exterior of Lotte Department Store Nowon Branch. Provided by Lotte Department Store.

The Nowon branch was reopened in 2002 after acquiring the Midopa Department Store Sangye branch. It has continuously upgraded its facilities, including a 1,000-pyeong expansion in 2012 and the establishment of a premium living hall in 2021, securing a unique position as the premier department store in the area. Nowon is considered one of the major stores in the metropolitan area. Its core commercial districts include Nowon-gu and Dobong-gu in Seoul, extending to northern Gyeonggi areas such as Uijeongbu, Yangju, and Namyangju.

The growth of the Nowon core commercial district has been a catalyst for this large-scale renovation. Around 2030, approximately 50,000 housing units in reconstruction apartments are expected to be built in Nowon-gu. Massive development projects such as the Changdong Complex Transfer Center, Seoul Arena, and the advanced biomedical complex commercial and cultural district are scheduled one after another. Moreover, with the development of new towns in adjacent northern Gyeonggi areas like Uijeongbu and Namyangju, population inflow is expected to continue expanding, further increasing the demand base for the Nowon branch.

In line with the stature of a commercial district with significant future demand, the renovation will focus on upgrading the store’s exterior to a premium look, improving interior design, redefining floor concepts, and creating the largest specialized hall in the region, aiming for an ‘All New Nowon Branch.’ Renovations will be carried out across the entire store, focusing on four key floors: basement level 1, 1st and 2nd floors, and the 8th floor, along with partial remodeling of other floors.

On basement level 1, the largest ‘Premium Food Hall’ in the northeastern commercial district, called ‘Lepicerie,’ will be introduced. Lepicerie is a premium grocery store differentiated by its content and services, aiming to innovate the gourmet experience. It offers eco-friendly, vegan, and imported premium ingredients, as well as a ready-to-eat cooking zone. The first Lepicerie, launched at the Incheon branch in December 2023, attracted about 10 million customers and became a catalyst for growth.

The ‘Premium Food Hall,’ designed to resemble a European-style plaza, will host the region’s first deli and bakery, among others. It will also feature ‘L Vino,’ a library-style display space specializing in the curation of thousands of alcoholic beverages such as wine and whiskey, introduced for the first time in the region. Additionally, numerous renowned restaurants from across the country will be invited to join.

The 1st floor will house the region’s largest ‘Beauty Specialty Hall’ spanning 300 pyeong. Themed ‘L.pond,’ meaning lotus pond, it will showcase a comprehensive range of popular domestic and international beauty brands including makeup and perfumes. Flagship stores of premium beauty brands like Chanel and Dior will be established, along with globally popular niche perfume brands.

The 2nd floor will be specialized as a ‘K-Fashion Specialty Hall’ targeting the MZ generation. Under a stylish space equipped with lighting and diffusers favored by the MZ generation, global leading ‘K-Fashion’ brands such as Matin Kim will be invited. A separate specialized zone will also be created for popular shoes and bag brands highly preferred by the MZ generation.

The 8th floor will feature the largest ‘Sports Megashop’ in the commercial district. Mega shops of Nike, Adidas, and New Balance will secure the widest range of products, from popular items to premium goods and special editions. Utilizing a 4-meter-high ceiling, the space will incorporate vibrant graphics, electronic billboards, and various visual elements reflecting the tastes of young customers to create a dynamic atmosphere.

In the first half of 2026, a futuristic exterior with a refined appearance will be unveiled by upgrading the main and rear entrances. The main entrance will feature a large lattice window spanning two floors to enhance connectivity between the outdoor plaza and the interior. The Nowon branch plans to sequentially complete product category renovations by next year and aims for a grand opening in the second half of 2026. Hwang Yoon-seok, head of Lotte Department Store Nowon branch, stated, “Through this renovation, we will solidify our position not only as a landmark in Nowon but also as a wide-area department store covering northeastern Seoul and the northern Gyeonggi region.”