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Banseog note · Oct 25, 2026
Lotte Hi-Mart — from a company that sells appliances to one that looks after them
- Where it stands now
- Structural shift — after cutting the store count, raising sales per store through services and store renewals
2025 revenue was KRW 2.3001 trillion and operating profit was KRW 9.6 billion.
The number of stores fell by 136, from 427 in 2021 to 291 in June 2026. Sales at the 22 stores renovated in 2025 rose 39.2% from a year earlier.
Korea's National Pension Service public workplace data shows 3,444 people on the pension register in August 2026, down 202 (5.5%) from October 2025. Over that period 230 people joined and 432 left.
- Three decisions within a year
- Integrated appliance repair service: On October 1, 2026 it launched 'Appliance Repair All Care'. A single two-year sign-up of KRW 50,000 covers repair costs for 34 types of appliances, including products bought elsewhere and second-hand products, up to KRW 1 million a year.
- Store and business structure shift: Under CEO Kim Jong-yoon, appointed in July 2026, it plans to raise the share of its four strategic businesses (services, store formats, private brands and e-commerce) from 38% in 2025 to 45% this year, and to renew 37 stores in turn, including the Jamsil store.
- Logistics humanoid trial: Selected as a demand company for a 2026 national robot industry technology development project (2026–2031), it will test humanoid robots handling order checking, picking and packing at the Icheon Logistics Center from 2028.
- Three people it will look for
- Appliance service business planner — after-sales services such as repair support for 34 appliance types must be grown into a profit-making business of their own
- Store renewal and store operations leader — the renovation of 37 stores and better sales per store need to be driven together
- Logistics automation and robotics project lead — someone is needed to prepare the 2028 humanoid trial at the Icheon Logistics Center
- For HR
- Store operations and service planning staff are sought by other appliance retailers and hypermarkets and by appliance makers' service organizations alike. With year-end personnel changes and store renewals under way, it is best to settle first on the leaders who will take on the new strategy.
- For job seekers
- Experience running after-sales services such as appliance installation and repair as a business, or a track record renovating large stores and raising their sales, is worth the most at this company right now.
A reading written from public sources. Sources: Newspim 2026-09-15 (2025 results, store count, renewals, CEO appointment, four strategic businesses), Etoday 2026-10-01 (Appliance Repair All Care), The Financial News 2026-10-07 (humanoid robot national project), Korea's National Pension Service public workplace data (headcount). Team size is from Korea's pension register.