Emart24 announced in a press release that it will open its first branch in Laos, marking the Korean convenience store brand’s entry into Southeast Asia, on Sunday, September 28, 2025.
The company has signed a master franchise agreement with Kolao Group, founded by Korean businessman Oh Se-young, to gradually convert 50 of Kolao’s Kok Kok Mini convenience stores into Emart24 stores.
Under the master franchise agreement, franchisees are granted the right not only to open and operate stores in designated regions, but also to sub-license stores to third parties.
Emart24 said details regarding the opening schedule for the first converted store will be announced at a later date. Laos will become Emart24’s fourth overseas market, after Malaysia, Cambodia, and India.
According to the company, the country’s strong economic growth and increasing demand for Korean food are driving growth potential. Laos’ per capita food expenditure It is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 5.5% to $838 million by 2023, up from $677 million in 2019.
Emart24 currently has approximately 6,100 stores in Korea, as well as 102 in Malaysia, seven in Cambodia, and one in India. It is a subsidiary of the Shinsegae Group, a major Korean retail conglomerate that operates department stores.