CU introduces South Korea’s first tattoo kiosk in c-stores
Published on: Jun 11, 2025
BGF Retail has launched South Korea’s first temporary tattoo kiosk as part of an effort to enhance the in-store customer experience.
BGF Retail, the operator of CU convenience stores, has launched South Korea’s first temporary tattoo kiosk as part of an effort to enhance the in-store customer experience. The new feature, announced on Wednesday, allows users to apply temporary tattoos directly onto their skin in just one to two seconds using a rolling device, reports Korea Joongang Daily.
The kiosk offers over 100 tattoo designs, with several inspired by Korean cultural elements such as palaces and tigers. According to the company, the tattoos are made with cosmetic-grade pigment ink that complies with local safety regulations and typically last around two days.
To appeal to international customers, the kiosk supports English, Chinese, and Japanese. BGF Retail stated that the initiative is part of its broader strategy to reposition CU stores as lifestyle hubs, providing interactive and experiential services beyond traditional retail offerings.
This development follows earlier additions such as capsule toy machines and smoothie makers, which have reportedly proven popular with younger demographics. "We will continue to introduce services tailored to evolving customer needs," the company said in a statement.
BGF Retail operates approximately 18,600 CU locations in South Korea and an additional 680 outlets across Mongolia, Malaysia, and Kazakhstan.
