Money Buzz! Europa

Tag: SPAR

  • SPAR is the market leader in Austrian food sector in the first half of 2020

    SPAR is the market leader in Austrian food sector in the first half of 2020

    SPAR has achieved market leadership in Austria’s food retailing sector in the first half of 2020 with an accumulated market share of 34.0%, according to the market research company Nielsen.

    In January of this year, before the implementation of COVID-19 shutdown measures, SPAR overtook the competition for the first time in the company’s history.

    SPAR Austria increased its market share from 32.1% (2018) to 32.8% (2019) and now holds an outstanding 34.0% as domestic market leader in the first half of 2020.

    In the month of June, their market share stood at 34.5%.

    SPAR in Austria grew by 4.7% in 2019, more than double the Austrian food retail industry’s estimated growth of 2.1%, according to Nielsen.

  • Interspar Salzburg trials filling stations for organic food products

    Interspar Salzburg trials filling stations for organic food products

    Interspar is the first major food retailer in Austria to offer filling stations for unpackaged and loose organic food products, such as cereals, nuts, and pulses as well as pasta, rice, and dried fruit.

    A large selection of these products is part of the SPAR Natur*pur range, the largest organic brand in Austria. Products sourced from local suppliers complement the range.

    How it works

    At the filling stations, customers can use a free INTERSPAR paper bag or a container they bring to the store or purchase instore. The filling station is currently being tested at the Interspar Hypermarket Salzburg-Europark.

    Customers can use their own containers by weighing them before filling with products.

    The filling station at the Interspar Hypermarket Salzburg was produced by HL Display, a global supplier of products and solutions that create a better shopping experience.

    The innovative filling station differs from traditional systems as the bins are filled from the top but emptied from the bottom, and this ‘first in- first out’ system ensures an optimal shelf life of the food products.

    In January, Interspar started to trial filling stations for bio-certified laundry and dishwashing detergents in selected hypermarkets in Salzburg and Vienna. The filling stations are continuously adapted and improved according to customer needs.

    Already over 40% percent of the fruit and vegetable range at SPAR and Interspar stores in Austria is unpacked. Customers can purchase reusable produce bags instore or make use of paper bags or free organic bags made from renewable raw materials.

    SPAR and Interspar stores offer the largest range of beverages in reusable bottles in Austria

    In March 2020, SPAR Austria started to sell SPAR Natur*pur organic farm milk in a reusable glass bottle. In April, various SPAR Own Brand beverages in an eco-friendly 1l reusable glass bottles were introduced..

    To make products that are plastic-free or contain less plastic easily recognisable, many products are labelled with the logo ”Saving plastic together with SPAR”.

  • SPAR Italy opens new Interspar and Eurospar stores in Abruzzo

    SPAR Italy opens new Interspar and Eurospar stores in Abruzzo

    Maiora, SPAR Italy Partner for the Centre and South of Italy, has opened a new Interspar Hypermarket and two new Eurospar Supermarkets in Abruzzo.

    The modern Interspar and Eurospar stores are located respectively in Silvi Marina, Pescara and Montesilvano.

    The opening of these stores is part of Maiora’s strategy to expand the SPAR Brand’s footprint into the Abruzzo region, located above the ‘heel’ of the Italian peninsula. The Eurospar Supermarket in Pescara, operated by an independent retailer, was converted from an existing brand. All of the previous store employees have been hired to run the new store.

    Maiora opened the new Interspar Hypermarket in Silvi Marina, a coastal town near Teramo, just two weeks after opening the new Eurospar Supermarket in Pescara.

    More openings are scheduled to take place from September, adding to the 32 SPAR stores already operating in the Abruzzo region.

    The new Eurospar Supermarket in Pescara follows the opening of another new Interspar Hypermarket in Scalea just one month ago, which was successfully completed during the lockdown.

    Within its 2019-2021 business development plan, DESPAR Maiora is investing an additional €70 million in its retail store portfolio, aimed at renovating 20 more stores and developing six new stores.

    The company’s turnover of €805,5 million, with a  strong growth of €30 million in 2019, is set to reach the €1 billion milestone by the end of this year.

  • SPAR Hungary expands its online grocery platform to Tatabánya

    SPAR Hungary expands its online grocery platform to Tatabánya

    SPAR Hungary has recently expanded the catchment area of its e-grocery platform to the INTERSPAR Hypermarket Tatabánya, in the Northwest of Hungary, as well as nine communities around the popular holiday destination Lake Velence.

    Launched in May 2019, SPAR Hungary’s e-grocery home delivery and drive-in service initially covered the capital city, Budapest, and 49 surrounding municipalities.

    The online shop provides the same extensive range of 20.000 products at the same price as any INTERSPAR Hypermarket in the country.

    Customers can receive their groceries during 2-hour time slots six days a week, from Monday to Friday between 10 am and 8 pm, and on Saturday between 10 am and 6 pm. A novelty in Tatabánya is that orders placed before 10 AM are delivered on the same day after 2 pm.

    SPAR has launched a new campaign promising customers that if there is a delay in the delivery of their groceries, even by just one minute, customers will receive a coupon worth HUF 1,000 (almost €3,00) as a compensation for any inconvenience caused.

    This campaign will last until the end of this month.

  • Interspar Tata is ”Store of the Year” in Hungary

    Interspar Tata is ”Store of the Year” in Hungary

    SPAR Hungary’s Interspar Tata has been named ”Store of the Year” in the hypermarket category by Store Insider magazine. SPAR Hungary was also crowned ”Green Retailer of the Year”.

    Interspar Tata, SPAR’s 34th hypermarket in the country, was opened last year and is equipped with environmentally friendly technologies inside and out.

    The 5.200 sqm store opened after an investment of €13 million and provides jobs for 78 team members. It has a unique horizontal supporting structure with beams and ceiling panels made entirely from wood.

    The use of environmentally friendly materials is complemented with environmental friendly technologies.

    SPAR Hungary also installed ozone-friendly cooling systems and refrigerator doors and energy-efficient LED-lighting.

  • Renovated Interspar store in Scalea, Italy, opens its doors

    Renovated Interspar store in Scalea, Italy, opens its doors

    SPAR Italy partner Maiora has reopened its Interspar store in Scalea, near Cosenza, after a comprehensive renovation aimed at future-proofing this hypermarket.

    With a sales area of 1.600 sqm, the compact hypermarket boasts enhanced departments, a new layout, and numerous new services for its customers. DESPAR Centro-Sud carried out renovation works of this store during the coronavirus emergency.

    A real highlight of the revamped INTERSPAR store is the instore seating area where visitors can enjoy freshly prepared foods purchased at the fresh counters. The Fresh Fish section now features a fried seafood service to offer fragrant foods to eat either instore or take out.

    The fine wine department comprises a vast assortment of the best Italian wines, in a refined shopping environment with high-end fixtures.

    In total, this Interspar Hypermarket employs 42 SPAR colleagues, providing an important source of employment for its local communities.

  • SPAR reports global retail sales of €37.1 billion for 2019

    SPAR reports global retail sales of €37.1 billion for 2019

    SPAR has reported sales of €37.1 billion for the year ending 31 December 2019, representing a 4.35% increase in revenue.

    At the end of the year there were 13.320 SPAR branded stores operating across 48 markets worldwide in four continents, an increase of 208 stores over the previous year.

    Expansion has seen over 1.200 new stores added to the SPAR global network in the last four years.

    The brand was launched in two new markets in 2019, Kosovo and Armenia.

    SPAR Western Europe

    In the 16 Western European markets where SPAR has a presence, sales grew by 3.57% to €22.9 billion, equating to 62% of SPAR’s global turnover.

    Highlights included the performance of SPAR Austria which reported revenue of €7.2 billion, making it market growth leader for the tenth year in a row.

    SPAR Netherlands achieved an unprecedented growth of 22.8% prompted by the success of its multi-format expansion strategy and SPAR Spain recorded growth of 8.8%.

    SPAR CEE

    Central and Eastern Europe recorded the most significant increase in sales of 6.83% across 11 SPAR countries to a historic high of €6.2 billion, with SPAR Hungary the stand out performer, reporting sales of €2.09 billion – an increase of over 10% on the previous year.

    SPAR Russia continued its growth, with sales of €2.14 billion – growth of 7.6% year-on-year.

    SPAR’s newer territories in the region experienced the most significant growth including SPAR Georgia (+79%), SPAR Albania (+19%), SPAR Ukraine (+141%) and SPAR Belarus (+300%).

    SPAR Africa & the Middle East

    Africa & the Middle East, where the brand has a presence across 14 countries, SPAR maintained its growth trajectory with sales of €6.06 billion – a 5.26% increase on 2018.

    SPAR South Africa posted a 7% year-on-year growth, with sales of €5.09 billion. More than 60% of total revenue in 2019 came from the larger format SUPERSPAR stores.

    Other notable performers were SPAR Mozambique (+34%), SPAR Nigeria (+10%) and SPAR Botswana (+12%).

    In the Middle East, SPAR Saudi Arabia had a stand-out year recording growth of 57% year-on-year driven by increased footfall in existing stores, as well as the launch of smaller format SPAR and SPAR Express stores.

    SPAR United Arab Emirates achieved a key milestone with the expansion of the SPAR brand to Dubai.

    SPAR Asia Pacific

    SPAR consolidated its position across many of the markets it operates with year-on-year growth of 3.04% and retail sales of €1.94 billion.

    Together, the seven regional SPAR entities in China combined to produce revenue of €1.54 billion, an increase of 2.16%.

    SPAR in China grew its presence with expansion into the new northern region of Zhangjiakou, and the opening of 30 new hypermarkets and supermarkets.

    SPAR India expanded the brand into a number of regional and provincial cities, particularly in southern India, and recorded sales increase of 22%.

    SPAR Thailand continued its rapid expansion to also record growth of 22% in 2019.

  • SPAR opens two Eurospar supermarkets in northern Italy

    SPAR opens two Eurospar supermarkets in northern Italy

    SPAR Italy Partner Aspiag Service opened two new Eurospar stores this year in Limena and Bologna.

    The new Eurospar Limena, in the Province of Padua, serves a catchment area of approximately 28.000 people.

    With a sales area of more than 1.400 sqm, this supermarket has incorporated service counters for fresh fish, meats, and delicatessen, as well as a fresh bakery section.

    The store stocks more than 10.000 food SKUs, as well as 6.000 non-food SKUs. Customers can pay for their groceries at one of the five served checkouts or four self-scan checkouts.

    The building that houses the Eurospar Supermarekt in Limena is newly built. The store is run by 37 SPAR team members, 30 of whom are newly hired.

    Eurospar Bologna

    Eurospar Bologna services a catchment area of more than 15.000 people.

    Just like the store in Limena, the new store in Bologna is run by 37 SPAR team members, 30 of whom are newly hired.

    The new supermarket is geared towards facilitating a convenient shopping experience – from the presence of a large outdoor parking space to the integration of the both staffed and self-service checkouts.

  • SPAR Greece opens a new supermarket in Hersonissos, Crete

    SPAR Greece opens a new supermarket in Hersonissos, Crete

    SPAR Greece is continuing to increase its retail presence by partnering with independent retailers and opening more supermarkets under the SPAR Brand across the country.

    The latest store to open is in a touristic area of the island, Hersonissos, in Crete, creating four new jobs.

    The independent retailer behind this latest opening, Mr Christodoulakis, is an experienced business owner, who already operates three SPAR Supermarkets in the same area.

    The newest SPAR Supermarket is 400sqm in size and was converted from a retail tourist clothing store.

    The service departments located around the perimeter include a butchery, delicatessen section, cheese counter, and bake-off counter.

    Due to the current trading environment as a result of the pandemic, no formal launch has been held, but local customers have responded positively since the store opened on 25 June. 

  • SPAR supports local communities in Sardinia, Italy

    SPAR supports local communities in Sardinia, Italy

    SPAR Italy is assisting households in Sardinia facing the economic consequences of the coronavirus emergency on the island.

    A large part of Sardinia’s revenue derives from tourism, an industry that is still struggling with huge losses. Since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak, many people in this industry have lost their source of income.

    How SPAR initiative works

    The initiative, called ”Together for Sardinia”, aims to support households in need, by donating products or financial support.

    Customers at retail stores will be able to purchase a basket of local foods at a discounted price.

    The basket comprises staples such as tuna, cheeses, olive oil, pasta, and preserves. In total, 5% of the sales income will be donated to support local households in need.

  • Annual sales of SPAR Austria’s Natur*Pur reached €471 million in 2019

    Annual sales of SPAR Austria’s Natur*Pur reached €471 million in 2019

    Annual sales of SPAR Austria’s Natur*Pur range reached €471 million in 2019. This range has grown in sales at an average of 16% each year for the past twelve years.

    In the first five months of this year, sales growth was as high as 27%, and as a result, annual sales for 2020 are projected to reach half a billion euros.

    The range comprises 1.050 products, forming the largest single brand within the entire product group of 3.500 organic items on offer in SPAR Austria’s stores.

    “This year, we will exceed the historic sales mark of half a billion euros with SPAR Natur*Pur products. Nobody would have expected our sales reaching this level when the first ten organic dairy products were introduced 25 years ago”, said SPAR Austria CEO Dr. Gerhard Drexel.

  • SPAR Hungary offers ten products made from recycled materials

    SPAR Hungary offers ten products made from recycled materials

    SPAR Hungary products made from recycled materials include seven Re-Generation bags made from recycled PET bottles as well as fully recyclable food containers.

    The bags’ outer fabric, lining, shoulder straps, and handles are produced using 100% recycled PET bottles.

    The bags carry a clear indication showing how many PET bottles were used to produce each item. For example, the backpack is made from the recycled material from 20 bottles.

    The organic reusable food containers from the brand Koziol include a two-piece food box set, a two-piece lunch box set and a flask with a projected lifespan of over ten years.

    A total of 90% less energy is used during the production of these containers compared to that used when producing their equivalents using glass, ceramic, and aluminium.

    As part of a popular loyalty programme SPAR Hungary is running until 27 September, the items in the range can either be purchased at full price or at 66-70% of the original price when using loyalty points.

    Customers earn a loyalty point for every HUF1,000 spent. With 20 stickers, it is possible to buy one of the ten products at the indicated reduced price.