Thanks to the mandatory installing of online cash registers in retail units there is no shop in Hungary without internet connection. Consequently, virtual solutions are more and more widespread, for instance a growing number of shop owners subscribe to online reports and there are also many ways to boost sales using IT solutions.

Dávid Szabó, managing director of Szintézis ZRt. reckons that no store can operate efficiently without an informatics system these days. In his view investing in IT returns fast as shop owners can save lots of time and money by using IT solutions. Mr Szabó told that touchscreen cash registers have been gaining ground lately because they are faster and easier to use. He believes that electronic shelf labels are the next step forward for retail units. Szintézis has already installed Pricer electronic shelf label systems in many places, from DIY stores to pharmacies. Using these facilitates the one-step updating of prices and shop assistants have more time for serving customers. The managing director thinks it takes time for innovations to conquer stores, but special in-store solutions will spread in Hungary soon. Retail is moving in the direction of complex services, comfort, simplicity and practical solutions. Ervin Szabó, the managing director of Laurel Kft. told us that they offer new SKU-based retail systems because stores now use high-performance cash register systems, which make it possible to run retail support systems. This year they started distributing the Motion Display digital shelf advertising system, which can generate 25-27 percent sales growth. Mr Szabó added that demand is growing for loyalty programme systems and not only from major chains but also from smaller shops. Integrated into the Laura cash register system, they can offer customised loyalty solutions to shop owners. Another trend Laurel forecasts is the growing significance of tablet-based solutions. In the future these devices will be of everyday use in stores, for instance for receiving daily reports online on turnover.