SPAR Hungary has completed a €5.79 million investment programme across three supermarkets in Budapest and Ajka, upgrading stores with new equipment, services and layouts designed to improve the customer experience and cut energy use.
The projects cover the supermarket on Üllői Road in Budapest, a store in Ajka, and a second Budapest location on Nefelejcs Street in the 18th district. Each has reopened with a refreshed look, wider product range, and technical improvements aimed at more sustainable operations.
Üllői Road, Budapest
The supermarket on Üllői Road has reopened following a €755,700 investment. With a sales area of 573 square metres, the store now offers customers new refrigeration units, modern fruit and vegetable displays, a full-service bakery, and a special offer zone.
A self-service grill counter has been added, featuring freshly prepared dishes ranging from meat and vegetarian options to side dishes. The checkout area has also been updated with new conveyor belt tills to make the payment process quicker.
Lighting has been replaced with LED technology, cutting energy use, while parking in front of the store makes it more accessible for shoppers. Around 8,000 items are stocked and the branch employs 16 staff members.
Ajka
The supermarket in Ajka has been modernised with an investment of €2.5 million. Its 838-square-metre sales floor has been fitted with new refrigeration units, updated bakery fixtures, and new cash registers.
The entrance area now features a layout that brings fresh produce, convenience products, and promotional items to the front of the store. A self-service grill has been introduced, broadening the fresh food offer.
Sustainability was a major focus of the project. The store has switched to LED lighting, a CO₂-based cooling system, and installed solar panels, helping to reduce its environmental impact.
Customers can now choose from around 9,500 products, including regional items from SPAR’s Régiók Kincsei (Regional Treasures) programme, which supports local suppliers. The branch employs 26 people.
Nefelejcs Street, Budapest
The supermarket on Nefelejcs Street in Budapest’s 18th district has reopened after a €2.49 million upgrade. The sales area has been expanded by 174 square metres to a total of 939 square metres, creating more space for fresh foods and an improved flow for shoppers.
Customers are now greeted by fresh vegetables, bakery items and grilled foods placed at the front of the store. The design also makes dairy, meat and delicatessen sections easier to navigate. A self-service grill warmer has been introduced here as well, offering hot ready-to-eat meals.
The store now carries around 9,300 items and employs 18 staff members. Three manned checkouts and four self-service tills have been added to speed up service.
Technical upgrades include new refrigeration systems, LED lighting, and a CO₂-based cooling system, bringing the store in line with SPAR’s energy efficiency goals.
Broader context
SPAR Hungary, which operates more than 600 stores nationwide, has been steadily investing in its estate to modernise layouts, improve fresh food ranges and reduce environmental impact. The latest three-store programme is part of a broader strategy to update older branches and introduce new services such as hot food counters and expanded self-service checkouts.
The inclusion of energy-saving features such as LED lighting, CO₂ cooling systems and photovoltaic panels reflects the retailer’s push to cut costs and meet sustainability targets, in line with trends across European food retail.
Investments in regional sourcing also remain a priority. By stocking items from the Regional Treasures programme, SPAR gives local producers a route into modern retail while offering shoppers more Hungarian-made goods.
What’s next
SPAR has not disclosed details of its next round of projects but is expected to continue modernising key supermarkets across Hungary. The company has previously said it is focusing on upgrading both urban and regional stores to meet changing shopping habits, including greater demand for convenience and ready-to-eat options.
The €5.79 million spent on these three stores signals that SPAR sees investment in physical retail as vital, even as online shopping grows. For Hungarian consumers, the changes mean easier store layouts, faster checkouts, and wider food choices. For SPAR, they reinforce its position as one of the country’s leading supermarket operators.
