Lotte Mart Unveils New Cheonho Branch: A Grocery Revolution in Gangdong-gu
On January 16, 2025, Lotte Mart opened its highly anticipated Cheonho branch in Gangdong-gu, Seoul, marking its first new store launch in six years. Located in the basement of the Gangdong Millennial Jungheung S Class apartment complex near Cheonho Station, this urban grocery store is redefining convenience and practicality for shoppers.
The Cheonho branch is half the size of a typical large supermarket but stands out for its focus on directly managed stores, eliminating tenant spaces entirely. With 80% of its offerings dedicated to fresh and ready-to-cook foods, the store is a haven for grocery enthusiasts.This strategic move aligns with the demographics of cheonho-dong and Seongnae-dong, where a meaningful portion of residents are in their 30s or part of single-person households.
A Fresh Take on Grocery Shopping
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At the heart of the store is the 27-meter-long ‘Long Deli Road,’ showcasing Lotte Mart’s ready-to-cook products. This section offers 50% more deli items than standard stores, catering to the growing demand for rapid, healthy meals.The salad zone, inspired by the wellness trend, and the ‘Cooking world Buffet’ corner, featuring 60 diverse dishes like garlic chicken steak and nasi goreng priced between 3,000 to 4,000 won, further enhance the shopping experience.Non-food sections are equally innovative. The ‘Today’s Good Shop in Shop’ dedicates 60% of its space to private brand (PB) products, with flat-price zones offering items at 4,900 won, 7,900 won, 9,900 won, and 12,900 won. These cost-effective options reflect Lotte Mart’s commitment to customer value.
A Competitive Landscape
The opening of the Cheonho branch has intensified competition in the area. Nearby competitors include the E-Mart Cheonho branch,Gangdong Nonghyup Hanaro Mart Rodeo branch,and Kim’s Club Cheonho branch. Within a 2km radius, Homeplus Gangdong branch also joins the fray.This concentration of retail giants positions Cheonho Station as a battleground for grocery dominance.
Kang Seong-hyun, CEO of Lotte Mart and Super, emphasized the importance of the new branch: “The Cheonho branch is Lotte mart’s first store in six years, setting the standard for next-generation grocery stores. By integrating the mart and super divisions and focusing on grocery-specialized content, we aim to achieve quantitative and qualitative growth. Together, we will become the ‘number one grocery market.’”
key Features of Lotte Mart Cheonho Branch
| Feature | Details |
|—————————|—————————————————————————–|
| Store Size | Half the size of a typical large supermarket |
| Focus | 80% fresh and ready-to-cook foods |
| Unique Offerings | 27m ‘Long Deli Road,’ salad zone, ‘Cooking World Buffet’ |
| Non-food Section | 60% PB products, flat-price zones (4,900 won, 7,900 won, etc.) |
| Target Audience | 30s and single-person households in cheonho-dong and Seongnae-dong |
| competitors | E-Mart, Kim’s Club, Nonghyup hanaro Mart, Homeplus within 2km radius |
The Cheonho branch is more than just a store—it’s a testament to Lotte Mart’s vision of becoming a leader in the grocery market. By prioritizing customer value and innovative shopping experiences, lotte Mart is setting a new standard for urban grocery stores.
For more data on Lotte Mart’s offerings, visit their official website.
Lotte Mart’s Cheonho Branch: A New Era of Urban Grocery Shopping in Gangdong-gu
On January 16, 2025, Lotte Mart unveiled its Cheonho branch, a cutting-edge urban grocery store located in Gangdong-gu, Seoul. This marks Lotte Mart’s first new store opening in six years, strategically designed to cater to the evolving needs of modern shoppers.Nestled in the basement of the Gangdong Millennial Jungheung S Class apartment complex near Cheonho Station, the store focuses on fresh and ready-to-cook foods, revolutionizing convenience in the grocery industry.
To better understand the significance of this launch, we sat down with kim Min-ji, a retail market analyst and urban grocery trends specialist, for an exclusive interview with World Today News.
The Vision Behind Lotte Mart’s Cheonho Branch
Senior Editor: Kim Min-ji,thank you for joining us.Lotte Mart’s Cheonho branch is being hailed as a game-changer. What makes this store so unique in the competitive grocery landscape?
Kim Min-ji: Thank you for having me. The Cheonho branch represents Lotte Mart’s shift towards a more urban, customer-centric model. It’s half the size of a customary large supermarket but focuses intensely on fresh and ready-to-cook foods, which make up 80% of its offerings. By eliminating tenant spaces and directly managing all sections, Lotte Mart ensures quality and consistency, something that resonates deeply with today’s shoppers.
Senior Editor: How does this align with the demographics of the area?
Kim Min-ji: The store is strategically located in Cheonho-dong and Seongnae-dong, where a significant portion of residents are in their 30s or part of single-person households. These groups prioritize convenience,health,and quick meal solutions,which is exactly what the Cheonho branch excels at.
Innovative Features: A Fresh Take on Grocery Shopping
Senior Editor: One of the standout features is the 27-meter ‘Long Deli Road.’ Can you tell us more about this?
Kim Min-ji: Absolutely. The ‘Long Deli Road’ is a centerpiece of the store, offering 50% more deli items than standard Lotte Mart locations. It’s designed for shoppers looking for quick,healthy meal options. Additionally, the salad zone and the ‘Cooking World buffet’ corner, featuring 60 diverse dishes like garlic chicken steak and nasi goreng, cater to the growing wellness trend and the demand for variety.
Senior Editor: What about the non-food sections?
Kim Min-ji: The ‘Today’s Good Shop in Shop’ is another highlight, with 60% of its space dedicated to private brand (PB) products. Flat-price zones offering items at 4,900 won, 7,900 won, 9,900 won, and 12,900 won make these products highly accessible and appealing. This reflects Lotte Mart’s commitment to providing value to its customers.
Competition in the Area: A Grocery Battleground
Senior Editor: The Cheonho area is already home to several major retailers. How does Lotte Mart plan to stand out?
Kim Min-ji: Competition is indeed fierce,with E-Mart,Kim’s Club,Nonghyup Hanaro Mart,and Homeplus all within a 2km radius. Lotte Mart’s strategy is to focus on grocery-specialized content, offering a curated selection of fresh and ready-to-cook foods that cater directly to the needs of local residents. The integration of the mart and super divisions also allows for greater operational efficiency and a more cohesive shopping experience.
The Future of Urban Grocery Shopping
Senior Editor: What does this launch mean for the future of Lotte Mart and the grocery industry as a whole?
Kim Min-ji: The Cheonho branch sets a new standard for urban grocery stores. It’s not just about size—it’s about understanding and addressing the specific needs of urban shoppers. I believe we’ll see more retailers adopting this model, focusing on fresh, convenient, and value-driven offerings. For Lotte Mart, this branch is a significant step towards becoming the ‘number one grocery market’ in Korea.
Senior Editor: Thank you, Kim Min-ji, for sharing your insights. It’s clear that Lotte Mart’s Cheonho branch is more than just a store—it’s a glimpse into the future of grocery shopping.
Kim min-ji: Thank you for having me. It’s exciting to see how retailers are evolving to meet the needs of modern consumers.
For more information on Lotte Mart’s offerings, visit their official website.
