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South Korean shops turn to robots, self-service to escape labor woes
Owners are using robots and self-service to run unmanned cafes and shops as labor costs squeeze small businesses, Reuters reported.
- Unstaffed coffee shops, ramen eateries, and flower outlets are spreading across South Korea as owners deploy robots and self-service kiosks to overcome rising labor costs.
- South Korea faces a labor crunch due to a rapidly aging population, with the government expecting the population to shrink from 51.8 million to 36.2 million by 2072.
- According to the National Fire Agency, unstaffed stores reached an estimated 9,000 nationwide by the end of 2024. Low petty crime rates in South Korea enable 24-hour operations.
- Payments provider Samsung Card reported the number of automated stores likely grew four times by 2025 from 2020 levels. The trend extends beyond Seoul to pet supply stores and clothing boutiques.
- While unstaffed, cashier-free stores exist globally in Britain and the United States, the concept has spread wider in South Korea to encompass niche sectors like pet supply and clothing retail.
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Omaha World-Herald+28 Reposted by 28 other sources
South Korean shops turn to robots, self-service to escape labor woes
Unstaffed coffee shops, ramen eateries and flower outlets are spreading across South Korea as owners turn to robots and self-service to overcome rising labor costs.
·Omaha, United States
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Total News Sources29
Leaning Left5Leaning Right0Center24Last UpdatedBias Distribution83% Center
Bias Distribution
- 83% of the sources are Center
83% Center
L 17%
C 83%
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