GS Retail launches AI-assisted feature to help customers shop for alcoholic beverages

Courtesy of GS Retail — A woman takes a picture of alcoholic beverages to access relevant information, in this undated photo provided by GS Retail.

SEOUL, July 4 (AJP) - GS Retail, the operator of convenience store chain GS25, has launched a new feature that allows customers to identify wines and other alcoholic beverages simply by photographing them without the need to scan QR codes or barcodes.

Since last week, the artificial intelligence-assisted feature is available on its mobile app Wooridongne's Wine25Plus. It can recognize and provide information on approximately 10,000 types of alcoholic beverages such as wines and whiskey as well as traditional Korean liquors, Japanese rice wine (sake) and Chinese baijiu.

Customers just need to take photos of products and upload them to access detailed information and real-time reviews, making shopping easier, especially for those who find it difficult to distinguish between brands and varieties in liquor stores.

GS Retail said its Wine25Plus online store currently handles an average of 9,000 alcohol-related searches daily, demonstrating strong demand for the feature.

A GS Retail spokesperson told AJP on Friday, "We went through rigorous testing to enhance searches and improve accuracy ahead of the feature's launch," adding that even foreigners can use the service after downloading the app and completing some verification procedures.

Users who order products through the app can also pick them up at their nearest GS25 convenience stores nationwide.

"I believe the latest feature makes shopping even more convenient for customers," said Seo Dong-woo, head of GS Retail's Platform DX division, adding that the company plans to continue expanding AI-powered services.

Candice Kim candicekim1121@ajupress.com