The new convenience store in Incheon Global Campus, emart24 has finally opened.
Photo Credit: Eun Cho
After a few months of waiting the emart24 entered Incheon Global Campus (IGC) on 1 November. Since the Umji Market shut down, many students had been waiting for a new convenience store on campus. It operates 24/7, and it is changed as an unmanned store from 10 pm to 9 am so students can get stuff or food anytime they want during nighttime. However, there is a concern about this unmanned system of emart24 since a security problem of theft can accompany it, as outsiders are free to enter the campus.
Going to the convenience store late at night is an integral part of the studentโs life, especially those living on campus. Umji market, the former convenience store in IGC, opened at 8 am and closed at 8 pm. These short business hours were the most significant problem that led to studentsโ dissatisfaction since many students stay awake until dawn on our campus due to assignments, projects, and works. Since the Umji market did not operate at night, they had to use GS25 at Triple Street by walking 20 minutes to visit a convenience store late at night.
There are a lot of positive responses from IGC students after emart24 opened on campus. With the interviews of three students, it is confirmed that all of them are satisfied with the current marketโs operating system with various products and facilities, including coffee and ramen machines. In particular, students are satisfied with its 24/7 operating hours. Now, students can use the convenience store, which is closer than other stores from their university and dormitory, even in the middle of the night. Besides, emart24 provides more various products in the store, especially daily necessities and stationeries than the previous Umji market. Moreover, the owner does not have to worry about the increasing labor cost since the store uses an unmanned system during the nighttime.
On the other hand, several disadvantages exist in operating emart24. Since emart24 is using the unmanned system, there is a concern that more theft cases could happen. According to the interview of the emart24 owner, it is hard to use a self-checkout counter for people who do not have enough knowledge about IT and automation systems. The problem, like registering only a few products for 2+1 products, can cause more theft and payment mistakes. Clumsy scanning bar codes is one of the problems. The owner suggests several solutions that have been used for the most considerable problem, theft. The solutions that are currently being used are to enter the store through credit card recognition, having many security cameras inside the store, and monitoring the store frequently during unmanned business hours. The owner hopes that the solutions are effectively functioning to manage the store on campus with safety.
Students are happy about the opening of emart24 with many advantages that the store provides for them. They are now available to buy some food, various products, even daily necessities, without going out of campus. It would be a significant benefit for IGC students, especially those living on campus. Although there are some concerning issues with the unmanned systems of convenience stores and cafes nowadays in society, it is expected that emart24 will continue to be operated in the Incheon Global Campus unless there are noticeable problems.
Written by Eun Cho | Staff Writer
Revised by Yu Bin Kwon | Managing Editor
Comments