Gabriella Heiszler: The growth of online shopping holds potential, but home delivery of fresh goods is still challenging

The spread of digitalization and online shopping is radically transforming retail. In the online space, customers have different expectations, and retailers must also adapt to this change. Spar has also moved towards digitalization by introducing online shopping, but, as Gabriella Heiszler said, this is not yet a profitable business. Successful operation in the field of online shopping presents serious challenges to retailers. Last mile delivery can be expensive and customer expectations are high, including demand for quality and selection of fresh produce.

However, digitalization is playing an increasingly important role not only in online shopping, but also in stores. Automatic cash registers, smart stores, and others are part of the technological developments in the process of modernization, which aim to enhance the customer experience and increase the efficiency of stores.

However, the players in the sector continue to be challenged by state interventions, taxes and other regulatory measures. The managing director of Spar also spoke about the special retail tax, which the state imposes on the sector. He assessed this tax as difficult and disadvantageous for the retail sector.