S. Korea's unmanned businesses grow while diversifying

Starting to emerge as a new business model in the early 2020s, unmanned stores are now rapidly gaining ground across South Korea and have become more common in everyday life.

Park Jun-han has the details.

In South Korea, you can buy fresh fruit anytime — whether it's 4 AM or late at night.

This store is a 24/7 fruit shop.

What's even more interesting is that there is no one at the counter.

You just simply pick up the fruit, bring it to the counter, then scan the barcode.

After it's scanned, you can pay for it through a machine and you're good to go.

"These two ice creams are exactly the same — same brand, same size, same ingredients.

I paid thousand-five-hundred won at a convenience store, but just six-hundred won at an unmanned store.

That's less than half the price!"

Since a few years ago, South Korea's unmanned store businesses have grown rapidly.

Although estimates vary by institution, it is generally assumed that there are over 10-thousand unmanned stores in South Korea.

From January 2020 through 2025, the number of unmanned stores grew 314 percent.

The number of stores increased more than fourfold from 2020 to 2023, and has remained steady for the last two years.

For customers, the main reasons they visit unmanned stores are their accessibility and reasonable prices.

While increasing accessibility through operating 24 hours a day, the strategy of reducing fixed costs by building an automated system that does not require additional labor costs was the key know-how in selling products to consumers at lower prices.

"It's cheaper than convenience stores, and I like that I can pay on my own without waiting.

"Since it's open 24 hours, I can stop by anytime after studying near my academy, which I find really convenient.

Another customer said he doesn't feel pressured when buying at an unmanned store, since no one is watching him while he decides which product to choose.

"With no staff around, you can shop freely without feeling watched. The prices are reasonable, so you get more for the same money.

Started as an emerging trend, unmanned stores have now expanded across the country and become a new mode of consumption.

From ice cream to fruit and even pet supplies, the industry continues to diversify — meeting the evolving needs of consumers.

Park Jun-han, Arirang News.