Fourth Store After Jukjeon, Ilsan, and Dongtan
Nearly 30% of Gyeongsan's Population in Their 20s and 30s
Relaxation, Dining, and Shopping All in One Place
Evolving Into a Space Tailored for Young Consumers
Emart announced on the 20th that its Gyeongsan branch will reopen as "Starfield Market" on the 21st, marking its first renewal in 19 years since its opening in 2006. This will be the fourth Starfield Market store after those in Jukjeon, Ilsan, and Dongtan, and the first in the Daegu-Gyeongbuk region outside the Seoul metropolitan area.
Emart chose Gyeongsan due to its excellent location and growth potential. Gyeongsan has a large population of young consumers, with many young families moving into newly developed urban areas. According to Statistics Korea, as of last year, people in their 20s and 30s made up 29.9% of Gyeongsan's population, significantly higher than Daegu's 23.9% and the national average of 25.6%. The city's continuous expansion, driven by the development of nearby industrial complexes such as Suseong Alpha City and the planned addition of large apartment complexes, is also a positive factor.
Starfield Market Gyeongsan spans three floors, with a total sales area of 5,670 pyeong (18,744㎡). The core space on the second floor is a community lounge designed for relaxation, featuring specialized content and tenants that offer experiential and entertainment options.
The most prominent area on the second floor is the "Book Ground," covering 205 pyeong (677㎡), the largest of any Starfield Market to date. It is designed as a space for rest and leisure, connected to "Youngpoong Bookstore" (106 pyeong) and "Starbucks" (91 pyeong). Notable dining options include "Oishikatsu" (30 pyeong), a famous Japanese pork cutlet restaurant from Daegu; "Dancing Hong Kong" (75 pyeong), which reinterprets Hong Kong-style Chinese cuisine for Korean tastes; and "Mad for Garlic" (170 pyeong), known for its garlic-based recipes. This setup addresses the lack of mall spaces in the city that offer diverse experiences, which has led consumers to shop in other regions.
Additionally, the "Shinsegae Factory Store" (186 pyeong) offers over 160 fashion and lifestyle brands at discounted prices, including off-season items. The "Muji" store (403 pyeong), the largest in the Daegu-Gyeongbuk region, allows visitors to enjoy shopping, dining, and relaxation all in one place.
On the third floor, the cultural center has been expanded by 45% from 146 pyeong (483㎡) to 212 pyeong (702㎡) and will reopen in September as "Culture Club + TnTn PLUS," alongside a "Daiso" store (463 pyeong). The upcoming "Culture Club + TnTn PLUS" will feature permanent facilities and a physical environment optimized for high-quality play-based education, making it especially appealing to families with young children.
The first floor houses the Emart store. As tenant facilities expanded, the Emart store area was reduced by about 33%, from 3,045 pyeong (10,066㎡) to 2,024 pyeong (6,691㎡). The entrance features a zone specialized in electronics and culture.
Visitors can bring pets with them. Dogs or cats under 5kg that have completed vaccinations may enter Starfield Market if they are in a covered pet stroller, kennel, or cage. This applies to about 70% of the entire store, excluding some areas such as Emart and F&B. Stickers and notices at entrances and individual brand stores indicate whether pets are allowed.
There will also be free performances and events to celebrate the opening. On the 23rd, the "Catch! Tinyping Singalong Mini Concert" will take place, where visitors can sing and dance with Tinyping. On the 30th, "WePlay," the paper airplane champion and Guinness World Record holder, will perform an aerobatic show in front of the Book Ground on the second floor.
Soo-Yeon Wi, Head of Emart's Development and Innovation Division, said, "We have created the Gyeongsan branch as a compact yet well-equipped local shopping destination that meets the everyday needs of our customers. We will strive to offer the unique, differentiated experience of Starfield Market, combining leisure and shopping beyond simple grocery shopping."
Meanwhile, Starfield Market Dongtan, which reopened last month, has seen a significant increase in sales since its renewal. From its opening on July 31 to August 13, sales at the Dongtan branch rose by 52% compared to the same period last year, and the number of visitors increased by 18%. Notably, sales at tenant stores more than tripled, while Emart's produce, livestock and seafood, and deli sales increased by 13%, 32%, and 18%, respectively.
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