The development of compact, low-height bar code readers for European supermarkets, where clerks sit at checkstands arranged much like office desks, is described. The technology used to meet all the requirements for this application is described. The resulting reader features advanced hologram lenses, for less-expensive optics and greater efficiency.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">></ETX>