Case Study

From long lines to fast lanes: speeding up the deli counter

Slovakia’s oldest cooperative retail network streamlines deli counter service with intelligent slicing technology from Bizerba.

Home
Experience
From long lines to fast lanes: speeding up the deli counter

ith a history stretching back to the 19th century, COOP Jednota is synonymous with tradition in Slovak retail. Yet even heritage brands must evolve. To meet changing customer expectations and improve staff productivity, the cooperative invested in new slicing equipment. Their goal: faster checkout, less waste and consistently high product quality—without compromising freshness or personal service. In partnership with Bizerba, COOP Jednota Topol'čany, s.d. deployed modern slicers with integrated weighing technology across 13 locations, boosting efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Our experience with Mr. Franček from Bizerba has been very positive. He is a pragmatic and reliable professional. We value his openness and transparency, which has helped build a strong foundation of trust.”

Ing. Vladimír Habaj

Chairman of the Board, Coop Jednota Topol'čany, s.d.

THE COMPANY

COOP Jednota Topol'čany, Slovak Republic

As Slovakia’s oldest retail cooperative, COOP Jednota traces its roots to 1845, when the first cooperative was founded in the country. Today, the network spans 89 smaller stores, 23 supermarkets, and a delicatessen production facility in Topoľčany and Bánovce nad Bebravou. Despite its size, the organization remains deeply committed to traditional values: high-quality local products, customer satisfaction, and community-based operations. At the deli counter, freshness is key. Products are sliced on-site, based on customer preference—from thin slices of ham to thick wedges of cheese. The popular Nitran salami alone sees up to 20 kg sold daily at a single supermarket.

Founded: 1845 (historical origin)
Locations: 89 stores (66 smaller outlets + 20 supermarkets + 3 Supermarkets Tempo)
Production: In-house delicatessen facility in Topoľčany and Bánovce nad Bebravou
Focus: Fresh local products, sliced to order
Market: Nationwide (Slovakia)

More information

coop.sk

CHALLENGE

Eliminating the deli counter bottleneck

To modernize its operations, COOP Jednota sought a way to streamline one of the most common retail bottlenecks: the deli counter. Waiting times at peak hours were too long, and staff had to constantly move products between slicer and scale—slowing down service. The goal was to shorten queues, reduce waste, and increase productivity, all while keeping the fresh-sliced experience that customers value so highly.

SOLUTION

Efficiency starts with integration

COOP Jednota chose Bizerba for its proven combination of product quality, local service, and customization. A key requirement was the ability to slice and weigh in one integrated process, avoiding unnecessary product transfers and operator movements.

Bizerba responded with a personalized support program, including workshops, product testing, and hands-on training. Employees were able to test various slicer models in-store before choosing the most suitable solution. The machines now in use integrate slicing, weighing, and intuitive operation—greatly simplifying daily workflows.

RESULTS

High productivity, short queues, happy customers

Since the rollout, checkout times have dropped significantly. The integrated scales allow staff to portion products precisely on the first try, reducing the need for manual corrections. Time savings of just a few seconds or minutes per order add up to a 10–15% increase in productivity, says Róbert Baran, Ing., Head of Technical and Operations Department. With responsive local service and fast support from Bizerba, the rollout was smooth and seamless. Employees also appreciate the easy cleaning and sharpening process, as well as the slicers’ ergonomic design.

More to come

Collaboration of COOP Jednota Topol'čany with Bizerba has laid the groundwork for continued modernization. The cooperative no longer sees Bizerba merely as a supplier, but as a long-term partner for smart, customer-focused retail innovation.

Let’s count

new slicing machines

0 (up to)

productivity gain

0 %

integrated customer experience

“We have recorded a productivity increase of 10–15%. We managed to minimize waiting times and eliminate one of the bottlenecks in the operation.”

Róbert Baran, Ing.

Head of Technical and Operations Department, Coop Jednota

“In a workshop, we presented various models of slicing machines. We also arranged for selected machines to be tested directly at the customer’s individual branches under real operating conditions. This ensured that the solution was perfectly tailored to the needs of both the staff and the overall operation.”

Marek Franček

Retail Key Account Manager, Bizerba Czech & Slovakia s.r.o.

COMPONENTS