Reitan’s flagship convenience brand, R-Kiosk, has evolved over the past 20 years from simple ticket kiosks into small, cozy convenience shops located in high-traffic areas across Estonia. While many of the R-Kiosk shops are found in cities, some operate in unique locations such as ferries to Saaremaa and Hiiumaa, hospitals, and even military units. “Our mission is to be close to people in their busy everyday lives,” says Tiia Ilves, CEO of Reitan Convenience Estonia. “Most customers don’t seek us out intentionally - they pop in for a snack, a drink, or something they need on the go before continuing their day.”
Leveraging Nordic experience and a strong commitment to digital transformation, R-Kiosk has become a key player in Estonia’s retail landscape. “The business and management culture at Reitan is immediate and it has created a fertile ground for sharing experience and know-how,” says Ilves. “The Nordic convenience concept introduced by R-Kiosk has become an organic part of Estonian shopping culture.” Ilves notes that convenience retail has changed globally, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic. “Customer expectations are more individual and time- and place-specific than ever. Our job is not just to react, but to anticipate these evolving needs.”
Business case
Reitan had been using Microsoft Dynamics NAV for enterprise resource planning (ERP) since 2013. “The solution served us well, but it couldn’t keep up with today’s pace of change,” says Priit Hansen, CFO of Reitan Convenience Estonia. “Automation is key, our goal is to let software handle repetitive tasks so our teams in shops and cafés can focus on what matters most: customer service.” By 2022, the company recognized the need for a more modern, agile solution to meet the evolving demands of the retail industry.
Solution
To support this transition, Reitan partnered with local LS Retail expert BCS Itera to upgrade to the latest version of LS Central, a unified retail management and point-of-sale (POS) platform that extends Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central with specialized functionality tailored for the retail industry.
Reitan has long been ahead of the curve, with R-Kiosk being the first in Estonia to introduce self-service checkouts. More recently, the company launched R-Kiosk GO, Estonia’s first fully unmanned store, located at TalTech, Tallinn University of Technology.
Powered by ScanPayGo for LS Central, R-Kiosk GO allows customers to enter using a bank card or app, pick their items, and leave - no staff, no checkout lines. AI-powered sensors and cameras track product movements, automatically adding or removing items from a virtual shopping cart. When the customer exits, payment is processed automatically. “Innovation touches every part of the retail experience, even if customers only see a fraction of what’s happening behind the scenes,” says Ilves. “Technology helps us create a smoother, more intuitive shopping journey. But it also means keeping both staff and customers informed and comfortable with these new tools.”
Benefits
LS Central has empowered R-Kiosk to seamlessly unify its back-end operations - including finance, HR, and purchasing - with front-end processes like sales and inventory in over 50 stores.
This implementation has significantly improved data visibility, allowing for more informed and agile decision-making across the organization. “To stay competitive, we must be in continuous, intentional motion,” says Hansen. “Business decisions are rooted in timely, well-analyzed data, but how that data is presented and used is just as important.”
One of the most transformative areas has been inventory management. With many R-Kiosk outlets operating in compact, high-traffic spaces, effective stock planning is crucial to minimize both shortages and excess. Hansen emphasizes the importance of role-based insights. “The challenge isn’t the availability of data - it’s transforming that data into clear, actionable information. The barista or shop host doesn’t need to analyze spreadsheets; they need quick insights that help them serve customers better. Meanwhile, chefs and category managers need detailed analytics to guide their work. The system must adapt to the needs of each user.”
For Reitan, modern convenience retail is no longer just about offering quality products - it’s about delivering efficiency, sustainability, and personalized customer experiences. As retail technology continues to advance, LS Central ensures that the systems behind the scenes keep pace, making every R-Kiosk visit smoother, smarter, and more satisfying.
