Late last summer, the American dining concept 'Eataly' opened a location in Seoul to give Korean consumers a place to shop, eat and learn about food. Food halls are already popular in many Korean department stores, however this hybrid dining concept offers more than just a quick meal.
The new Eataly location is housed inside the Hyundai department store in Seoul and it serves as a welcoming space where customers can shop, eat and learn about different food and drinks. The cafe portion of the shop features several different take-away counters and restaurants, which serve both local and Italian fare. Inside the marketplace, consumers can shop for food and beverages sourced from small-scale Korean farms and artisanal Italian brands. Additionally, the store also highlights different recipes and holds frequent workshops to give consumers a more interactive dining experience.
The new Eataly location demonstrates how retailers can upgrade their in-store dining halls to offer a more engaging experience.
Sprawling Korean Dining Concepts
This Marketplace Gives Consumers a Place to Shop, Eat and Learn
Trend Themes
1. Hybrid Dining Concepts - The rise of dining concepts that combine shopping, eating, and learning experiences.
2. Interactive Dining Experiences - The trend towards creating engaging and interactive dining experiences for consumers.
3. Locally-sourced Food and Beverage - The increasing demand for food and beverages sourced from local farms and artisanal brands.
Industry Implications
1. Retail - Opportunity for retailers to upgrade their in-store dining halls and offer a more engaging experience.
2. Hospitality - Opportunity for restaurants and cafes to provide interactive dining experiences that go beyond just a meal.
3. Food and Beverage - Opportunity for brands to cater to the demand for locally-sourced and artisanal food and beverages in the market.