CU Opens 'FacePay' Pop-Up Store with Toss for Facial Recognition Payments

Pop-up Store Opens at Yeouido IFC Mall for Five Days Starting December 17

BGF Retail announced on December 17 that its convenience store chain CU will open a 'FacePay Gift Factory' pop-up store at Yeouido IFC Mall in collaboration with Toss.

BGF Retail's convenience store CU announced on the 17th that it will open a 'FacePay Gift Factory' pop-up store at Yeouido IFC Mall in collaboration with Toss. Photo by BGF Retail

'Toss FacePay' is a service that allows users to make payments and accumulate CU points simply by looking at the payment terminal, without the need to carry cash, cards, or other payment methods, after pre-registering their face, payment method, and CU membership on the Toss app. Toss FacePay officially launched in September and surpassed 1 million subscribers this month. Previously, CU began a pilot operation of Toss FacePay at select stores in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, starting in February.

The reason CU is focusing on expanding simple payment services is that it enhances shopping convenience by eliminating the need for separate payment methods such as cash, cards, or smartphones. Additionally, by proactively introducing advanced retail technology, CU aims to achieve a customer lock-in effect.

CU, together with Toss, will operate the pop-up store at the North Atrium of Yeouido IFC Mall in Seoul for five days from today until the 21st, offering visitors the opportunity to experience FacePay's simple payment process. The FacePay pop-up store is designed with a 'Santa's Gift Factory for Sharing Warmth' concept to match the Christmas season. It is set up in the large plaza on the L3 floor of IFC Mall, featuring a modern atmosphere and a curated selection of various Christmas gifts.

The main products offered include exclusive CU items such as the Ganadi series, Peaceminusone Highball, Yonsei Milk Fresh Cream Bread series, Brawl Stars Pudding, Zootopia merchandise, and CU's private brand PBICK series. In addition, there are around 50 types of Toss Christmas goods, such as stickers, keyrings, and diaries, to create a festive atmosphere.

Choi Mingun, Head of Marketing Planning at BGF Retail, said, "CU is providing customers with a convenient shopping experience by quickly introducing various simple payment methods, including Toss FacePay and CU Pay within our own commerce app Pocket CU. We will continue to offer a differentiated shopping experience unique to CU by introducing popular simple payment options and marketing initiatives that respond to consumer demand."