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  4. Handlar'n in Nattavaara – Investments for a modern and sustainable store

Handlar'n in Nattavaara – Investments for a modern and sustainable store

A red country store with a picnic table in front.

The shop in Nattavaara. Photo: Petra Selberg.

Nattavaara is located 70 km southwest of Gällivare and the village has about 300 inhabitants. The town, which has a train connection between Luleå, Gällivare and Kiruna, has a well-stocked grocery store with a hybrid concept, a gas station, a hunting team, various companies and several active associations.

The store has been run by an economic association since 2013 with just over 200 shares in the village, in Sweden and also in Germany. They are now facing an important upgrade that will simplify everyday life, reduce risks and create a more sustainable operation. We meet Jochen Römling, who is a board member and IT manager for the store. The investment includes a new staffed cash register, digital shelf edge labels and discount label printers.

A man stands in front of a digital checkout screen in a store.

Jochen Römling stands in front of the new cash register system. Photo: private.

Why are you making this investment?

“We want to bring everything together in a modern system that is secure, efficient and easy to manage,” says Jochen.

The current staffed checkout from 2014 is based on outdated technology and has not been updated since 2020. This means an increasing risk of technical problems and additional work in administration. Since they became a hybrid store in 2023, they also have two different checkout systems, which creates complexity.

What does the investment lead to?

The new cash register is built on cloud technology, which means that administration can be done from anywhere. The system supports, among other things, automatic accounting and smoother handling of Swish or invoice payments. There is also a large touchscreen with graphical menus, making it easier for temporary workers and new employees to get started.

Digital shelf labels make price changes automatic, saving time and reducing the risk of errors. The discount label printer makes it easier to manage the price of discounted items and reduces fraud in the unmanned part of the store.

Electronic shelf edge label

 Electronic shelf edge label. Photo: Honestbox.

Does the investment contribute to sustainability?

“This is a step towards a more sustainable and efficient store,” continues Jochen, as the investment reduces paper consumption and contributes to less food waste through better handling of goods with a short shelf life. 

You have applied for and been granted investment support from Region Norrbotten, what does that mean for you?

“The investment support means a lot to us,” says Jochen. In an industry with small margins, we would otherwise have had difficulty implementing important investments to keep up with developments and remain competitive against larger stores.

Thanks to the support, we avoid long-term bank loans, can maintain reasonable opening hours and offer good service even to those who are not comfortable with unmanned solutions. The investment in technology also reduces administration, which frees up time for both staff and the board. Instead, we can focus on the customers, the store and the development of a vibrant countryside.

Text: Petra Selberg