Tesco PLC : Tesco Homeplus expands number of virtual stores

Feb 07, 2012

Tesco Homeplus is expanding the trial of its award-winning virtual stores to more than 20 bus stops in South Korea, giving busy commuters the opportunity to do their grocery shopping 'on the go.' The new stores follow the launch of the world's first virtual store, opened by Tesco in Seoul last year.

Using the virtual display, people can scan the relevant barcode or QR code with their Homeplus App to order different products and can even organize for home delivery that day.

Tesco Homeplus' Smartphone App, which customers need in order to shop at the virtual store, is now the number 1 shopping App in Korea, with over 900,000 downloads since it launched in April last year. Homeplus says that the majority of orders placed on the app are at 10am and 4pm, while people are on their way to and from work.

SH Lee, CEO at Tesco Homeplus says, "The growing trend in Smartphones in South Korea means that virtual grocery shopping is even more accessible and convenient than ever before. The first virtual store in the Seoul Subway was a great success with customers and has paved the way for the opening of these new stores at bus stops. We've found it most popular amongst 20 to 30 year olds, so the new stores will be opening close to a local university and other pedestrian areas."

Tesco Homeplus' Virtual Store has been widely praised for its innovative approach and has most recently been nominated by the London Design Museum for 'Design of the Year', as one of 2011's best digital designs. A mock up of the virtual store will be on display at the Design Museum, alongside the Duchess of Cambridge's Wedding Dress and the Olympic Torch for 2012, as well as many other iconic and dynamic designs.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editors
Additional photos available, please contact the Press Office

Tesco Homeplus Virtual Store in Seoul has been nominated for' Digital Design of the Year' by the London Design Museum (http://bit.ly/2oFQXQ) The exhibition is open from 8th February - 15th July and there is a Press Viewing on Tuesday 7th February. London Design Museum, SE1 2YD
www.designmuseum.org

About Tesco Homeplus Virtual Store

1. Tesco Homeplus opened the world's first virtual store in the Seoul Subway in August 2011
2. The store was the result of further development of the advert concept created by Cheil Worldwide, that won the Grand Prix and the International Festival of Creativity held in Cannes, France in July 2011. For more information: http://bit.ly/mTSdSe
3. The Homeplus App, which allows Homeplus customers to scan and place orders at the virtual store, has been downloaded by 900,000 people since launching in April last year.