Official opening of SPAR KCR – pioneering flagship store showcasing future of retail

Ireland’s first avocado scanner, walk into the ‘Kimmage Chill Room’ and enjoy a faster, more convenient shopping experience  

It’s always been under the tree at SPAR… and now it’s also under the KCR sign! SPAR KCR officially opened this week and is a new flagship store for SPAR in Ireland, with slick in-store features and sustainable elements embedded throughout the store. Locals and the SPAR team celebrated the launch with a ribbon cutting ceremony taking place.

For many years, the KCR has been a well-known pitstop for commuters and Dubliners alike. Now, the new SPAR store is an example of the future of retail designed to deliver a faster, more convenient shopping experience, as well as championing sustainability.

An external living wall supports biodiversity, air quality and insulation in store, while a wind turbine creates part of the power needed for the store, rainwater harvesting irrigates external planting and ‘The Cup Collective’ invites customers to change everyday habits and recycle their used cups in store.

Taking convenience shopping to the next level, SPAR 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.

SPAR KCR is home to Ireland’s first ever avocado scanner – so shoppers can avoid food waste by checking the ripeness of the avocado and ensuring it will be perfectly fresh for when they need it, whether that’s for a lunchtime salad or Saturday morning brunch.

Deligo AI Self-Checkout is powered by machine vision, the system instantly identifies basket items simultaneously without manual barcode scanning, delivering industry-leading transaction speeds, a first for convenience retail in Ireland.

Ordú Digital Deli Ordering Kiosks mean 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 the walk-in off-licence known as the ‘Kimmage Chill Room’. SPAR KCR has a built-in chilled room for alcohol and alcohol-free beverages, with an air door on the beer cave cutting cold-air loss and improving energy efficiency, ensuring purchases are perfectly chilled and ready for shoppers to enjoy. The refrigeration across the entire store has an award-winning energy efficient system delivering almost 65% energy savings.

SPAR KCR has a full range of on-the-go options too, from the deliciously different Brevato Coffee to Subway, Greens & Co salad bar and a SPAR Deli – and it is all efficient by name and nature, with AI scanners, self-checkouts and deli ordering kiosks making life easier for anyone dropping into store.

At the SPAR KCR official opening today, SPAR 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.”