A new self-service market has been launched on the ground floor of Building A1 of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at Brno University of Technology, which is available to students and staff 24/7. Access is simple using a student or employee card, with no additional registration or application required.

Currently, the range mainly includes long-life foods, stationery, notebooks, and basic hygiene products. However, the range will soon be expanded to include dairy products, fresh fruit, and chilled ready meals. The market will be restocked several times a week, so the shelves will be constantly replenished with fresh and popular items. The range will gradually be adapted to the needs of the community – users themselves will decide on new items via a dedicated app.

How to shop in a self-service market?

When entering, place your employee or student card on the terminal at the door. Each visitor must verify themselves separately – even if several people enter at once, each of them must use their own card. This system is used to ensure security and prevent theft.

• Select goods from the shelves.
• Scan individual items at the checkout.
• Pay easily and cashlessly with your payment card.

Another advantage of the new concept is that prices are in line with standard retail prices. Students and staff can now purchase high-quality snacks or basic necessities directly on campus whenever they need them – in the morning before lectures, during afternoon study sessions, or in the evening after classes.

The entire space is equipped with a camera system that ensures safe operation and supervision of purchases.

Changes are also in store for the Strojovna café. In the future, it will have hybrid operation: traditional service will be available for part of the day, but for the rest of the time, it will switch to self-service mode.

With these steps, the faculty is building on the existing operation of the canteen and café, which were popular places, but their operation was limited by opening hours and a relatively narrow range of products. The new self-service market and the planned modernization of the café will therefore bring greater flexibility, a wider range of products, and availability of services at any time of the day or night.