One-door refrigerator (left), two-door showcase (center), and four-door walk-in cooler installation examples | Image by Urban Sharing Economy
Urban Sharing Economy (CEO Jin-Seok Park), a pioneer in automated payment and alcohol vending systems, has developed a cost-effective, safe, and convenient self-operative alcoholic drink vending machine and expanded its product lineup beyond premium models.
The company gained approval in 2020 as Korea’s first regulatory sandbox demonstration company to address challenges like underage alcohol purchases and intentional reporting that negatively impacted small business owners. By introducing self-operative alcohol vending machines, Urban Sharing Economy has led the market in providing innovative solutions for small-scale retailers.
The newly launched low-cost models address the high price barrier of previous products, which were expensive due to production limitations. The machines now come in various types, allowing small business owners to choose models tailored to their specific locations and operational needs. This flexibility reduces costs and lowers the entry threshold for installation and use.
Jae Myeong Gim, who operates three automated convenience stores, described the machines as essential and recommended them for any store setup. Sanghwan Lee, who runs an automated mart on Ganghwa Island, expressed his satisfaction, noting that after installing a vending machine with adult authentication, his sales doubled while maintaining safety and convenience.
CEO Jin-seok Park expressed his enthusiasm: “We are delighted to offer some relief to small business owners during tough times. We will continue to explore ways to minimize burdens and maximize benefits for our customers.”
The vending machines have various installation options, including one-door refrigerators, two-door showcases, and four-door walk-in coolers. They can be easily integrated into existing setups, such as convenience store refrigerators or walk-in coolers, eliminating the need for extensive renovations or additional space.
Launching these low-cost self-operative alcohol vending machines is expected to provide new opportunities for small business owners, enhance the efficiency of automated operations, and inject new energy into the market.
