SPAR takes another step towards digitalization

By: Trademagazin Date: 2025. 05. 20. 11:27

SPAR continues its digital innovations in Hungary. The use of electronic shelf labels has already been implemented in more than ten franchise partner stores and three self-operated stores: in Budapest, Debrecen and the newest supermarket in Szentendre. The new solution simultaneously serves to enhance the customer experience, make work processes more efficient and operate sustainably. Building on the promising experiences, SPAR would like to introduce the technology in its other stores.

“The use of electronic shelf labels is an international trend that points towards modern, sustainable and customer-centric commerce. SPAR Hungary is also playing a role in this process: the positive experiences we have gained in our first three self-operated stores and the positive feedback we have received from our customers and colleagues have confirmed that we are on the right track,”

– highlighted Márk Maczelka, Head of Communications at SPAR Hungary.

Pricer electronic shelf labels enable real-time price communication, so that the shelves always display the latest prices and promotions. The system offers a number of additional benefits that benefit both customers and store employees. For example, the new labels help the work of the stockers with flashing LED signals: several color variations are available for easier identification of products. If a store is rearranged, the system automatically tracks the location of the products, which significantly facilitates work organization.

The customer experience has also reached a new level with the introduction of NFC technology. By touching their smartphone to the label, customers can immediately access the store map, which on the one hand shows the exact location of the given product, and on the other hand, the map also has a search function, so that any other product in the store can be quickly found. The positions determined with triangulation technology allow for even more precise orientation. The system also represents a step forward in SPAR stores from an IT perspective. Thanks to Pricer’s optical control technology, fewer control units are required in each store, which makes not only installation but also operation more economical.

In April 2025, SPAR’s newest supermarket in Szentendre officially opened. The investment, worth approximately HUF 3.6 billion and financed from its own resources, created a modern, energy-efficient store. With the cooperation of Szintézis Informatikai Zrt., 13,000 four-color Pricer electronic shelf labels were installed in the store, which make the work of employees easier and provide visitors with a shopping experience that has been raised to a new level. All labels are NFC-enabled, so customers can access the digital store map with a single gesture, which also functions as a product search engine. The efficient communication between employees is facilitated by Vocovo headsets, which have been used since the store opened and are also provided to the company by Szintézis.