In South Korea, the number of completely unmanned stores and cafes, where coffee is prepared by robots and customers serve themselves, is rapidly growing. This helps business owners cope with acute staff shortages and rising wages amid a demographic crisis.
South Korea, one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world, is actively introducing robots into the retail and catering sectors, xrust states. According to Reuters, there are already thousands of unmanned coffee shops, noodle shops and flower shops across the country, where the entire process from order to payment occurs without the participation of employees.
This phenomenon is directly related to demographic problems. South Korea faces one of the lowest birth rates in the world. The country's population, currently around 52 million, is expected to fall by almost a third by 2072, according to government forecasts. The result is a severe shortage of young workers, especially in the service sector. Young people are reluctant to take up positions as baristas or sales consultants due to relatively low pay and inconvenient schedules.
Business owners have found a way out in automation. For example, Lounge X launched a chain of 24-hour coffee shops where a robotic arm called “Baris” prepares Americanos and matcha lattes based on orders from touch-screen kiosks. A person only needs to come for one hour in the morning to replenish supplies and do cleaning. According to the company's CEO, Kim Dong-jin, the profitability of such outlets exceeds 40%, while in ordinary coffee shops it is 10-15%. Savings on salaries cover even slightly lower sales.
The situation is similar in self-service noodle shops. Customers select packages of instant noodles from the shelves, fill them with hot water and add toppings. The owner of one of these outlets, Hyun Sung Ju, notes that the format allowed her to combine business with childcare. Thefts do happen, but they are rare—South Korea has high levels of trust and low levels of petty crime, making the driverless store model especially viable.
It is estimated that by the end of 2024, about 9 thousand such facilities were operating in the country, and by 2025 their number had increased significantly. The trend has spread to pet stores, clothing boutiques and even car washes. This is reminiscent of experiments with cashier-free stores in the US and UK, but in Korea the scale is much wider.
Why is this relevant for Russia
class=»notranslate»>__GTAG7__In Russia, similar challenges are already noticeable in large cities: an increase in the minimum wage, the outflow of young people into more prestigious areas and demographic problems. Although we do not yet have such a massive implementation of service robots, individual projects in Moscow and St. Petersburg (delivery robots, self-service kiosks in fast food) show potential. According to various studies, the density of industrial robots in South Korea is one of the highest in the world (more than 1000 units per 10 thousand workers).
Experts note that the transition to automation not only reduces costs, but also allows staff to work 24/7 without fatigue. This could be an inspiration for Russian retail: investments in simple robotic solutions (AI-powered coffee machines, smart shelves, ordering apps) can improve the efficiency of small businesses.
Of course, there are also disadvantages. Buyers sometimes complain about the lack of live communication and minor equipment failures. However, the majority note the convenience: you can eat in peace, look at your phone, without being distracted by the staff. In South Korea, such establishments are especially popular among students and people with non-standard schedules.
The trend towards robotization of services in Korea is also supported by the state as part of the strategy to combat personnel shortages. By 2030, it is planned to significantly increase the number of service robots in the economy.
As a result, South Korea demonstrates how technology helps adapt to the realities of an aging society. This is an example for Russian business: by investing in automation today, you can not only save on personnel, but also offer clients a new, convenient format of service in an era of personnel shortages.
Based on materials from https://www.reuters.com
Xrust Robots instead of baristas: how South Korea is solving the problem of labor shortage in stores and cafe
