South Korea: Emart24 c-store introduces AI-based alcohol vending machine

The introduction of vending machines for alcoholic beverages could pave the way for the country’s retailers to launch fully unmanned convenience stores.

Emart24, a South Korea’s convenience chain, is introducing an artificial intelligence-based alcohol vending machine to support the company’s unmanned operation of its c-stores, according to a press release.

Located at Emart24 headquarters in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, the machine has the appearance of a beverages refrigerator. To make purchases, customers are required to scan a QR code issued from a mobile app to verify their age, and payments are only completed after the customer takes its drink out of the fridge and closes the door.

Unmanned sales of alcoholic drinks in South Korea is prohibited as there is no means to validate the consumer’s age via automatic payment systems. The service has been made possible through a regulatory sandbox that exempts regulations on new solutions for the quick development and demonstration of innovative technologies.

“With the regulatory sandbox lifting restrictions, we are working together with Shinsegae I&C to introduce more convenient systems for customers and franchise outlets,” Emart24 said.

Last week, South Korea’s convenience store chain CU also started operating a similar vending machine for alcoholic drinks at a resort facility in Goseong, northeast of Seoul.

The introduction of vending machines for alcoholic beverages could pave the way for retailers to launch fully unmanned convenience stores serving such products too. According to Aju, there are some 600 unmanned c-stores in South Korea.