SPAR takes another step Towards digitalisation
SPAR continues its digital innovations in Hungary. The use of electronic shelf labels has already been implemented in over ten franchise partner stores and three company-operated stores: in Budapest, Debrecen, and the newest supermarket in Szentendre. This new solution enhances the customer experience, streamlines work processes, and promotes sustainable operations. Building on the promising results, SPAR plans to introduce the technology in additional stores.
“The adoption of electronic shelf labels aligns with an international trend towards modern, sustainable, and customer focused retail. SPAR Hungary is actively participating in this transformation as well: the positive experiences from our first three company-operated stores, along with encouraging feedback from customers and colleagues, confirmed that we are on the right path,” said Márk Maczelka, head of communications at SPAR Hungary.
The Pricer electronic shelf labels enable real-time price communication, ensuring that shelves always display current prices and promotions. The system offers numerous benefits for both customers and store staff. For instance, the labels feature flashing LED indicators to assist stock replenishment, with multiple colour options to help identify products more easily. When a store undergoes a layout change, the system automatically tracks product relocations, significantly simplifying workflow planning.
Customer experience has also been elevated with the introduction of the NFC technology. By tapping their smartphones on the labels, customers can instantly access a store map. The map precisely shows a product’s location and includes a search function as well, allowing customers to quickly locate any other item in the store. Triangulation technology further enhances navigation accuracy. From an IT perspective, the system represents a significant advancement for SPAR stores. Thanks to Pricer’s optical control technology, fewer control units are needed in each store which makes both installation and operation more cost-effective.
In April 2025, SPAR officially opened its newest supermarket in Szentendre. The approximately 3.6 billion HUF investment, funded from the company’s own resources, resulted in a modern, energy-efficient store. In collaboration with Szintézis Informatikai Zrt., 13,000 four-colour Pricer electronic shelf labels were installed, simplifying staff tasks and delivering an enhanced shopping experience for customers. All labels are NFC-enabled, allowing shoppers to access the digital store map, which also functions as a product search tool, with only a single tap. Staff communication is also streamlined through Vocovo headsets, provided by Szintézis since the store’s opening.
“Speaking on behalf of all men, the product search function built into Pricer will save us a lot of time and frustration. The Pricer infrastructure works like an in-store GPS. I tap my NFC-enabled phone on the label, the store layout pops up, I type in what I’m looking for, and it shows me the way,” said Dávid Szabó, CEO of Szintézis Informatikai Zrt.
SPAR Hungary remains committed to innovation and sustainability, aiming to continue supporting customer needs and staff efficiency through modern technological solutions.
