[Edaily Reporter KYUNG GYEYOUNG ] GS Holdings, a convenience store chain operated by GS Retail(007070), announced on the 18th that it has launched the “Active Senior Entrepreneurship Experience Program” for prospective business owners in their 50s and 60s.

GS Holdings established this startup support program because the number of store owners in their 50s and 60s among those opening new locations has grown to the point where they now account for a majority. The proportion of store owners in their 50s and 60s among new GS25 store openings rose from 44.6% in 2023 to 50.1% in the first half of this year. Among all prospective entrepreneurs, the proportion of those in their 50s and 60s also rose from 44.0% to 48.5% during the same period. This is interpreted as evidence that the appeal of convenience store entrepreneurship—which offers a relatively easy entry point and a stable source of income—has come to the fore.

In response, GS Holdings operates its “Active Seniors” startup experience program as an experience-based startup support system. It goes beyond mere informational sessions to include visits to exemplary stores, training on a store owner’s daily routine, hands-on store operation practice, and personalized one-on-one counseling. The aim is to actively tap into the demand for entrepreneurship among people in their 50s and 60s.

In particular, GS Holdings has strengthened training so that participants can directly practice product display, store management, and point-of-sale (POS) operations. This is intended to enhance their understanding of the convenience store business by providing hands-on experience with store operations, while also helping them decide whether to pursue entrepreneurship based on that practical experience.

The Active Senior Entrepreneurship Experience Program will be held once a month—for a total of four sessions—starting on the 21st and continuing through December. The program is open to aspiring entrepreneurs aged 55 to 69 (born between 1957 and 1971), with approximately 20 participants accepted per session. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis via the GS Retail official website. Those who sign a GS25 franchise agreement within one year of completing the program will receive a 1 million won discount on the franchise fee.

To support entrepreneurs in their 50s and 60s, GS25 plans to provide additional “senior-tailored digital training”—including customized online training courses and a digital terminology guidebook—for business owners preparing to open new stores.

Park Ju-hyun, Manager of the GS Holdings Development Planning Team, said, “The core objective of this Active Senior Entrepreneurship Experience Program is to help people in their 50s and 60s gain hands-on experience in actual store operations before starting a business and to select a business model that suits them,” adding, “We will continue to strengthen our tailored support systems that take into account the entrepreneurial needs of different age groups.”