A quick ride on Tongducheon Public Bus #36 to Uijeongbu will take you past E-Mart--Korea's largest discount retailer and an Asian version of Wal-Mart. In fact when Wal-Mart decided to pull out of the Korean market in 2006 E-Mart's parent company, Shinsegae bought up all 16 stores for $882 million. Next they overhauled the outlets so Koreans would want to shop there. "Koreans hate the warehouse format," said Chong Yong-jin, an executive for the 85-store chain.Indeed, E-Mart crosses as a mix of "Ikea meets Target." Sparkling clean, spacious layout, a unique food court and huge kiddie playland tops the list for fun shopping. In the grocery section the catchy displays and an "outdoor market feel" are cool. Even the escalator is built to move both people and shopping carts. The multi-floor format is reminiscent old-style department stores: food on the first floor--clothing, hardware, appliances found on higher floors.
So the next time you come to E-Mart don't forget two things: Your shopping list and plenty of T-Money!
