Transformation of Shuttered Gas Stations: Introducing the New Store Model 'CU Re:fuel'

Urban Regeneration Convenience Store Model

CU, the convenience store operated by BGF Retail, announced on August 18 that it has launched its first urban regeneration store model, 'CU Re:fuel', which upcycles shuttered gas stations into convenience stores. The company plans to expand such unique stores going forward.

According to Korea National Oil Corporation, the number of gas stations nationwide has steadily decreased, with between 100 and 200 closing every year since 2010. The trend is attributed to industry shifts such as persistently high oil prices and the growing adoption of eco-friendly vehicles, which have eroded profitability and forced more operators to shut down. While closed gas stations can remain abandoned for extended periods, creating urban eyesores, they also tend to be located on major roads with convenient access points and expansive parking lots, giving them high potential for commercial repurposing.

Exterior of CU Refuel Sohul IC Branch. CU

To address these social and urban challenges, CU developed the 'CU Re:fuel' model, which remodels such existing structures into convenience stores and creates new commercial districts. By reusing key elements such as signage, canopies, and parking lots, the company significantly reduces both the costs and the time required for store development, revitalizing idle spaces into community hubs for locals and drivers alike.

The inaugural CU Re:fuel outlet, Sohul IC Branch, is located at a key intersection in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province, connecting Uijeongbu city and a major expressway. The store has transformed a 430-square-meter site into a two-story, 125-square-meter facility, combining a convenience store with customer lounge areas for a multi-purpose community space. Notably, the roadside location caters to a broad customer base—including general drivers, bus and large truck operators, as well as local residents. Through this model, CU aims to extend its presence beyond traditional residential areas to highways and city outskirts.

CU also made active use of the spatial features of the original gas station. The iconic canopy enhances store visibility, and the large, formerly unused fueling area now serves as a rest zone for customers and the local community. Safety measures in the store include KCC's color universal design (CUD) safety environment solution, which uses color-coding to clearly distinguish between vehicle entry lanes and pedestrian walkways.

Since opening, the CU Refuel Sohul IC Branch has reported an average customer spend about 20% higher than nearby standard stores over its first two weeks. 

CU plans to open additional CU Re:fuel locations in areas with favorable site conditions, high business potential, and strong land utilization. The company aims to further transform unused and abandoned spaces into urban regeneration hubs that bring new convenience facilities to communities.

Jeongkwon Park, Director of Operations Support at BGF Retail, said, "We designed a differentiated convenience store model by leveraging the advantages of both the infrastructure and location of closed gas stations to add new value to idle spaces. Moving forward, CU will continue to break away from the traditional store opening formats and discover new store models utilizing a variety of spaces in order to broaden customer engagement."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.