SK Energy gas stations moonlight as delivery hubs

SK Energy announced Monday that it will allow CJ Logistics to use its gas stations nationwide as local distribution centers.

Once the new system is implemented, consumers will be able to have parcels picked up within an hour of contacting the delivery company, a significant improvement from the current system where users have to visit a CJ Logistics office to arrange a delivery or wait for up to a day for pick-up. Parcels collected this way will be gathered at nearby SK Energy gas stations. CJ Logistics will then collect the parcels en masse, reducing the distance that individual delivery drivers have to travel.

“The new project helped us confirm the potential of gas stations to create a new business model by combining with other industries,” said SK Energy CEO Cho Kyong-mok.

According to SK, the two companies signed a memorandum of understanding last week.

Gas stations have conventionally increased revenue by offering car-related services. SK Energy has been looking for other opportunities to use its existing infrastructure, gathering ideas from the public for the last four months. Using the stations as distribution centers was one of the ideas submitted.

BY SONG KYOUNG-SON [song.kyoungson@joongang.co.kr]