GS The Fresh achieves 500 franchise stores milestone
The South Korean supermarket chain has surpassed 500 franchised locations, strengthening its neighborhood grocery model through franchise expansion, quick commerce and data-driven operations.
GS The Fresh has opened its 500th franchised supermarket, becoming the first player in South Korea’s supermarket sector to reach the milestone as it continues to expand its franchise-led growth strategy.
The new store opened in Seoul’s Songpa district and brings the retailer’s total store count to 603 locations nationwide. The outlet has been designed to serve nearby residential communities, targeting families and young couples with everyday grocery shopping needs.
Operated by GS Retail, GS The Fresh traces its origins to Lucky Super Chain, established in 1974. The company said it currently welcomes around 150 million customer visits annually and remains the leading supermarket operator in South Korea based on store count, sales and operating profit.
The retailer attributes much of its growth to a shift from a company-owned model toward a franchise-focused structure, drawing on decades of experience from convenience chain GS25. Following increased demand for neighborhood shopping during and after the pandemic, the franchise model enabled the company to accelerate store openings and expand into more local communities.
According to GS Retail, franchised stores now account for approximately 83% of the GS The Fresh network, up from just over 50% in 2020 after the company expanded its chain operation model. Under this system, product assortment, merchandising and ordering processes are standardized and supported centrally, allowing store owners to focus more on local marketing and customer engagement.
The company is also increasing investment in quick commerce as an additional growth driver for franchisees. Through its Woori Neighborhood GS app and partnerships with delivery platforms including Baemin, Coupang Eats, Yogiyo and Naver Shopping, GS The Fresh offers grocery deliveries within one hour from most stores nationwide.