[Courtesy of CU]
SEOUL -- CU, a domestic convenience store franchise has partnered with a mobility commerce platform operator to provide a drive-thru order pickup service in an effort to minimize customers' shopping time and face-face contact of between clerks and customers.
The major convenience store brand said in a statement on September 10 that it will jointly develop the order pickup service with Owin, a mobility commerce platform maker, to have the service commercialized this year. CU speculated that if the system development process and tests go smoothly, the service will be available at all CU stores across the country in October.
CU said it will differentiate its new drive-thru order pickup service from conventional drive-thru services in which customers make their orders on the site. Customers using CU's new service will make orders and transactions using a smartphone app so that they can pick up merchandise from clerks waiting at the door of the store without entering it.
Before the global coronavirus outbreak, drive-thru systems were mainly used by fast-food and coffee franchises in South Korea. Now, the convenient system is used everywhere including local fish markets and traditional marketplaces that sell local specialties.
Currently, South Korea operates a walk-thru system virus screening system that is similar to a drive-thru system. It is adopted by many COVID-19 screening centers. The novel invention created by South Korean inventors \is designed for the quick and safe screening of patients infected with COVID-19.
The walk-thru screening system consists of a single or multiple phone booth-shaped cubicles with glove walls, a glass wall with a pair of rubber gloves attached to it. Normally, it takes about 30 minutes to screen a person due to a thorough disinfection process but the walk-thru system only takes about seven minutes. Doctors or nurses that test people do not have to wear protective gear when using walk-thru screening booths.
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
