S. Korea's E-Mart 24 to open more semi-unmanned stores

E-Mart 24 will increase the number of ‘hybrid’ stores operated by employees in the daytime but function without workers late at night.

The initiative boosts revenue at stores that are usually closed from 11 pm to 6 am, which account for 80 percent of the 5,500 E-Mart 24 stores in South Korea.

Meanwhile, E-Mart 24's hybrid stores are estimated at 150.

These hybrid stores, which use a digital payment kiosk system, can easily be switched to unmanned mode.

Using E-Mart 24’s dedicated mobile app, owners can close or open the gates, storage doors, and the doors of the office area.

The app also instantly alerts owners if sensors near fire detectors and refrigerating equipment detect anything abnormal.

The company also has a mobile authentication system that makes customer access easier and more convenient and allows payments through smartphones.

E-Mart 24 is the convenience store arm of South Korean retail giant Shinsegae.