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.

Reimagining convenience

For many years, the KCR has been a well-known pitstop for commuters and Dublin residents. Today, the new SPAR store exemplifies the future of retail, designed to deliver a faster, more convenient shopping experience while championing sustainability.

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 been deployed where it counts.

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.

Innovating with technology

The store also uses technology to enhance the shopper experience. SPAR KCR is home to Ireland’s first-ever avocado scanner, helping 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, the system 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.

SPAR KCR offers a full range of on-the-go options that are efficient by name and nature, with AI scanners, self-checkouts and deli ordering kiosks making life easier for anyone dropping into the store.

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

Source: SPAR Ireland

Read more about SPAR Ireland

About SPAR Ireland

SPAR is part of leading retail and wholesale company BWG Foods UC and one of Ireland’s largest convenience retail groups, and has served communities in Ireland for over sixty years. Since opening its first store in Dublin in 1963, SPAR has led Irish convenience retailing, bringing consumers the most innovative products and in-store offerings. Independent retailers operating under licence expand the retail network, either under the SPAR or EUROSPAR retail formats.