CU reaches 600 stores in Mongolia
South Korean convenience retailer expands beyond traditional retail with EV charging, solar power and community-focused services.
CU has opened its 600th store in Mongolia, becoming the first South Korean retailer to reach the milestone in a single overseas market. The achievement comes eight years after the c-store chain entered Mongolia in 2018 and highlights the country’s growing importance in CU’s international expansion strategy.
The landmark store, located in Bulgan Province about 600 km west of Ulaanbaatar, serves travelers and long-haul truck drivers along a major highway leading to Khuvsgul Lake, one of Mongolia’s main tourist destinations. In addition to standard convenience store offerings, the site includes shower facilities designed to address infrastructure gaps for customers on long journeys.
The new location also introduces CU’s “Green Station” concept, featuring solar power generation and electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. A dedicated space for locally produced food has been incorporated to support regional suppliers and strengthen ties with surrounding communities.
Growth in Mongolia has been supported by investments in food production, logistics and digital operations. Since entering the market through a master franchise agreement with Premium Nexus Group, the company has expanded from 21 stores in its first year to more than 600 locations across 16 regions of the country.
With more than 600 stores in Mongolia and additional locations in Malaysia, Kazakhstan and Hawaii, CU said its global network surpassed 800 international stores earlier this year.
