SPAR Ireland opened a pioneering flagship store on 10 September that showcases the future of retail through innovative technology solutions and reimagines convenience.

SPAR KCR features innovative convenience offerings, excellent technology functions improving shopper experience while integrating responsible retailing elements throughout. Local shoppers and the SPAR team celebrated the launch with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“For over 63 years, SPAR has been at the forefront of convenience shopping in Ireland, launching many firsts in the market,” said SPAR Ireland Sales Director, Colin Donnelly at the opening.

“SPAR KCR is a fantastic showcase for the future of retail, designed to deliver a faster, more convenient shopping experience, championing sustainability and innovative technology.”

Innovating with technology

Taking convenience shopping to the next level, SPAR Ireland has reimagined the shopper journey at KCR by combining cutting-edge retail technology with world-class, people-first service. Intelligent automation has also been deployed where it counts.

The store uses several examples of technology to enhance the shopper experience:

• An avocado scanner – the first in Ireland – helps shoppers avoid food waste by checking each avocado’s ripeness and ensuring it is perfectly fresh when needed.
• Deligo AI Self-Checkout – powered by machine vision – instantly identifies all of the basket items without manual barcode scanning, delivering industry-leading transaction speeds, a first for convenience retail in Ireland.
• Ordú Digital Deli Ordering Kiosks – shoppers can place fresh food orders up front, eliminating counter queues and allowing them to pick up wine, snacks, or groceries while their food is prepared.

Another tangible experience for shoppers is SPAR KCR’s walk-in liquor section, known as the ‘Kimmage Chill Room’. A chilled room for alcohol and alcohol-free beverages, with an air door on the beer cave to cut cold-air loss and improve energy efficiency, ensures purchases are perfectly chilled and ready for shoppers to enjoy.

Retailing responsibly

Responsible retailing initiatives include an external living wall that supports biodiversity, air quality, and insulation in store, while a wind turbine generates part of the store’s power.

Rainwater harvesting irrigates external planting, and ‘The Cup Collective’ invites customers to change everyday habits and recycle their used cups in store. The store’s refrigeration uses an award-winning, energy-efficient system that delivers almost 65% energy savings.