South Korea’s retail sector is fiercely competing for the attention of international tourists. With the pandemic ebbing, the influx of foreign visitors shopping at major department stores has significantly increased. Embracing this trend, Lotte Department Store has introduced an innovative AI translation service at its Jamsil branch, aimed specifically at non-Korean speakers. This service translates customers’ queries into Korean and vice versa, covering an impressive range of 13 languages, ensuring a seamless shopping experience.
Seamless shopping through technology, the system utilizes SK Telecom’s ‘TransTalker’ to provide real-time information to shoppers in languages like English, Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, Spanish, and German, among others. Displayed on an LED transparent screen, the service translates the questions posed by international visitors, with responses promptly appearing in the customer’s language.
Additional support services have been rolled out by other department stores as well. Shinsegae has set up a special desk catering to foreigners in need of Chinese interpretation, while Hyundai Department Store has launched an innovative membership program, ‘H Point Global,’ redeemable across its department stores, outlets, and duty-free shops. Hyundai’s service doesn’t just stop at promise of points accumulation and tax refund assistance; it also offers restaurant reservations, integration with Naver’s ‘Papago’ for on-the-spot translations, and even facilitates taxi booking and booking classes at the department store’s culture center.
These efforts reflect the sector’s initiative to attract and cater to an increasing number of foreign visitors post-COVID-19, with the Korea Tourism Organization reporting a significant rebound in tourism. Sales from international customers have shown robust growth, with Lotte Department Store’s Jamsil branch doubling its foreign customer sales compared to the previous year. Shinsegae also reports a surge in sales from international tourists, indicating a promising recovery and potential for even greater retail success in the future.
Relevant additional facts not mentioned in the article may include the following:
– The global retail industry is increasingly leveraging technology to enhance customer experience. AI translation services are a part of this broader trend of digital transformation in retail.
– Language barriers can significantly affect customer service quality and satisfaction, making AI translation services a valuable asset for international customers in non-English speaking countries.
– AI translation services can lead to operational efficiency by allowing staff to assist customers without the need for multilingual employees or traditional human translators.
Key Questions and Answers:
What are the most important features of the AI translation service at Lotte Department Store?
The AI translation service offers real-time translations displayed on an LED transparent screen, covering 13 languages to aid communication between staff and international visitors.
How does the service benefit international shoppers at Lotte Department Store?
The service eases the shopping experience for non-Korean speakers by breaking down language barriers, thus enabling them better access to information and assistance.
Key Challenges or Controversies:
– Accuracy of AI Translations: AI translations may not always capture the nuances and cultural expressions of human translators, which could lead to misunderstandings or reduced customer satisfaction in certain cases.
– Privacy Concerns: To operate effectively, AI translation services may require the collection and processing of personal data, potentially raising privacy issues for users.
Advantages and Disadvantages:
Advantages:
– Enhanced customer experience for non-Korean speakers.
– Possibly increased sales from international customers due to improved service.
– Reduced need for multilingual employees, leading to potential cost savings.
Disadvantages:
– Potential inaccuracies in translation could lead to customer confusion.
– Initial setup and ongoing operational costs could be significant.
– Reliance on technology may become a challenge during system failures or outages.
Suggested related links could include:
– SK Telecom
– Lotte Department Store
– Shinsegae
– Hyundai Department Store
– Korea Tourism Organization
Please note, the actual URLs have not been provided, and should you wish to visit these websites, you should use the correct country-specific or international domains where applicable.
The source of the article is from the blog mgz.com.tw