GS Retail has been recognized for its innovative shopping services that integrate online and offline stores with artificial intelligence (AI), winning a prestigious award at a retail conference in the Asia-Pacific region.
On October 22, GS Retail announced that it received the 'Retail Innovation Award' at the 2026 Asia-Pacific Retailers Association (FAPRA) Awards.
The FAPRA conference gathers retail industry representatives from 18 countries in the Asia-Pacific region to discuss industry development and collaboration. Awards are given to companies that contribute to retail innovation and industry advancement among member countries.
GS Retail was highly praised for establishing an O4O (Online for Offline) distribution ecosystem that connects online and offline shopping experiences and for improving customer experience and business operations through AI. The company's expansion into international markets and its social contribution activities also contributed to its recognition.
GS Retail operates an O4O service through its 'Our Neighborhood GS' app, linking over 18,600 stores nationwide, including GS25 and GS The Fresh. The app offers quick commerce, 'Wine 25 Plus,' 'My Refrigerator,' and pre-order sales, allowing customers to find products online and purchase or pick them up at physical stores.
In September, the company launched a product search service integrated with ChatGPT, enabling customers to receive recommendations for related products and discounts based on their interests or preferences, even if they do not enter the exact product name.
GS Shop, the home shopping division, has also personalized its mobile application using generative AI. By analyzing customer purchase, search, and browsing data, the app's interface is tailored to individual interests, with over 80% of displayed products selected by AI.
In September, GS Retail introduced an 'AI Shopping Assistant' that supports product searches, reviews, and comparisons, initially focusing on beauty products, allowing customers to inquire about product ingredients and usage through conversational AI.
The company is also expanding its business in international markets. GS25 operates approximately 740 stores in Vietnam and Mongolia, combining its convenience store management expertise with local consumer preferences in product offerings and store operations.
GS The Fresh is expanding its franchise business, increasing its store count to 609, with franchise stores now accounting for over 81% of its total. The company is enhancing operational efficiency by standardizing product offerings and improving support for display and ordering from headquarters.
A GS Retail representative stated, "This award signifies that our innovative capabilities and business competitiveness, accumulated in the domestic retail industry, have been recognized in the global market. We will continue to present new possibilities in retail through O4O and AI-based innovations, leading the global expansion of the Korean retail model and sustainable industry development."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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