Autonomous C-Store Debuts in Seoul

GS25 (Seoul), the largest convenience store brand in Korea, has launched an autonomous store in its home city. This new GS25 store is powered by proprietary deep-learning algorithms from Seoul-based Fainders.AI, utilizing 2D cameras, sensor-mounted shelves and checkout-free payments.

South Korea is home to roughly 56,000 convenience stores – including about 16,500 operated by GS25 – but faces challenges such as a steep increase in the minimum wage and staff shortages, project participants say.

“With dynamic changes in Korea, especially in demographics, we believe the expansion of autonomous stores in Korea is approaching fast,” the companies said in a news release.