200 stores planned

Hofer is now also introducing self-service checkouts

Hofer currently operates 540 stores in Austria.(Bild: Hofer)

At airports, it has long been normal for passengers to check in for their flights themselves; self-service checkouts are now also becoming widespread at food retailers, furniture stores and bookshops. Now discount store Hofer is also saying yes to them.

The aim is to make shopping as convenient as possible for customers, but also to tackle the rampant problem of staff shortages - Hofer Managing Director Horst Leitner puts these two factors into play when he explains why Hofer is now also opening up to self-service checkouts.

By 2025, the grocery discounter's first 50 stores will be equipped with self-service checkouts, which consumers are already familiar with from Spar and Billa Plus stores. Hofer plans to equip a total of 200 of its current 540 locations with self-checkout stations.

360 stores are already ready for the deposit system
The retail company, which operates from Sattledt, is currently still busy preparing for the introduction of the one-way deposit on bottles and cans. 360 stores have already been equipped with reverse vending machines.