Discussions are underway between the Országos Kereskedelmi Szövetség (OKSZ) and the Hungarian government about phasing out competition-restricting measures affecting retail—such as special taxes and the price cap (árstop)—according to remarks at the XIII. Laurel Retail Conference. While dialogue is ongoing, OKSZ Secretary General Kozák Tamás said a firm date for changes has not yet been set.
Kozák noted that recent economic policy decisions (for example, the plázastop, special taxes and the árstop) have negatively affected Hungary’s retail sector and led to a near-disappearance of investment appetite. The association warns that further delays impose significant burdens on consumers, retailers and manufacturers.
Instead of restrictions, the OKSZ advocates creating a regulatory environment that strengthens market competition, provides effective support for digital transformation, and fosters tighter cooperation within the food supply chain. Kozák pointed out that food inflation currently stands at minus 2.5 percent—meaning prices are falling—which, he argued, makes this an opportune moment to remove the árstop.
The changing role of stores and the drive to technology
Conference speakers emphasized that technological change in retail is unavoidable. Bessenyei Attila, CEO of Laurel Kft., said modern stores increasingly act as order-fulfillment points, local logistics hubs and real-time data sources, not just sales floors. Traditional administration—often based on spreadsheets and manual processes—is too slow to prevent typical problems such as stockouts or losses from overstocking.
According to Bessenyei, the remedy is AI-supported, single-platform network management that speeds decision-making and improves supply chain performance.
Results from Hungary’s first hybrid automated store
As a concrete example, the conference showcased the first domestic hybrid store in Szeged, which operates fully automated and unmanned outside normal opening hours. The outlet is run by Coop Szeged Zrt.; Kiss Krisztina, the company’s deputy CEO, said more than 27,000 customers used the self-service period over the past year.
Company figures show the 24-hour automated operation delivered roughly 24 percent additional revenue, and average basket value during unmanned hours was about 22 percent higher than during staffed opening times. During spring holidays when the store was unmanned all day, they recorded a 44 percent increase in revenue.
The system integrates mobile app access and exit, self-service payments and remote camera monitoring; experts say the solution is highly scalable and the company is considering wider deployment in both smaller and larger stores.
Why this matters
Retailers argue that removing market restrictions while supporting digital transformation could help reverse the current investment slowdown and boost competitiveness. Technological upgrades—especially AI-supported store management—can enable more efficient inventory control, more precise pricing and faster responses in the short term, and pave the way for new business models and services over the longer term.
Conference participants concluded that the timing of regulatory decisions and measures that encourage digitization will be decisive for the future of Hungary’s retail sector.
