The post SPAR Gran Canaria cooperates with the Foresta Foundation planting trees appeared first on SPAR International.
]]>Approximately 120 SPAR Gran Canaria employees and their families enjoyed a day in nature with workshops for kids, including building bird feeders and musical butterfly activities. The eco-friendly day concluded with a countryside picnic and a guided tour of Finca de Osorio.
Since 2007, SPAR Gran Canaria has partnered with the Foresta Foundation, actively contributing to environmental initiatives. Over 17 years, collaborative efforts resulted in successful reforestations in various locations on the island. Locations include Morro Santiago, Tenteniguada, Finca de Osorio, Valleseco, Los Llanos de la Pez, Finca Las Tabaibas, Artenara, and San Juan De Dios. The commitment continues to create a better living environment for the future, emphasising the retail company’s respect for the land.
SPAR Gran Canaria has an extensive responsible retailing programme. Initiatives include supporting local growers, reducing its environmental footprint through generation power through photovoltaic panels and more.
Source: SPAR Gran Canaria
Read more about SPAR Spain
About SPAR Spain
SPAR Spain was founded in 1959 when a group of wholesalers who wished to join an international organisation came together. As a result, the brand became the first voluntary trading chain to be established in Spain, having been granted a license by SPAR International. Together, 13 regional SPAR wholesalers actively continue the expansion of the brand across the country.
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]]>The post SPAR Gran Canaria rolls out savings initiatives appeared first on SPAR International.
]]>SPAR Gran Canaria is committed to improving shoppers’ experiences and contributing to the island’s economy. In 2023, several campaigns were run, leading to a total of 2,700 shopping bags worth €102,000, discount vouchers of €25,000, and wallet cards worth €45,400 being given to customers.
SPAR Gran Canaria has planned several initiatives throughout the year aimed at providing savings for customers. This includes fortnightly promotional offers, extensive fruit and vegetable deals every Wednesday, and special offers on the last weekend of the month.
Over and above these initiatives, families can benefit from the ‘My SPAR Club’ loyalty card. This provides all card holders with numerous advantages, such as special offers and access to discount coupons. In addition, the loyalty card applies a fixed discount to all purchases made by larger families in any of the 196 SPAR stores in Gran Canaria. To be eligible for this system, families apply for the ‘My SPAR Club’ loyalty card and provide official documentation from the Government of the Canary Islands. Once processed, these families have access to direct discounts on all purchases they make.
Source: SPAR Gran Canaria
Read more about SPAR Spain
About SPAR Spain
SPAR Spain was founded in 1959 when a group of wholesalers who wished to join an international organisation came together. As a result, the brand became the first voluntary trading chain to be established in Spain, having been granted a license by SPAR International. Together, 13 regional SPAR wholesalers actively continue the expansion of the brand across the country.
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]]>The post SPAR South Africa regional teams provide local support appeared first on SPAR International.
]]>In 2023, SPAR Eastern Cape provided sports kits to five teams at KwaMagxaki High School, located near its distribution centre. The school also received 150 new desks which will benefit pupils in five classes. Outdoor gym equipment was donated that will benefit all of the pupils as well.
The school is located in an area which has been severely affected by unemployment and donations to enhance the school experience of the students are very welcome. SPAR Eastern Cape advertising manager Roseann Shadrach said that SPAR is in the business of creating “forever smiles”. “We knew that we had a responsibility to help scholars attend school regularly and that the task ahead was not a handout but more a hand up,” she said. “We engaged with the principal to ascertain the daily needs and challenges that faced the school, teachers and learners, for us to put together a plan of action for the year.”
Having learning-conducive classroom equipment went a long way in creating positive attitudes among the students, said the school principal. Matric learner Lwanga Lubuza was grateful for the desks that would make writing the all-important final exams more comfortable and help his peers improve their focus. The 18-year-old, who hoped to teach one day having been inspired by those who taught him, was also pleased that those in lower grades would benefit from the desks and gym equipment. The latter, which includes leg-raise machines, air-walkers and exercise bikes, came into operation earlier this year and has proved a hit.
“Seeing the absolute elation on their faces is an experience that cannot be described in words,” Roseann Shadrach said. The retailer, she explained, was committed to encouraging leadership through relationships with its communities.
In an age where corporate social responsibility is a significant driver for businesses, SPAR South Africa stands out as a strong supporter of the communities it serves. For over a decade, SPAR has partnered with SA Cares For Life, raising much-needed funds and donating essential groceries. Their collective efforts recently came to the forefront when a devastating fire swept through Cemetery View, Pretoria East, leaving 800 families homeless. In these challenging times, the regional SPAR office, in partnership with SA Cares For Life, stepped in to respond to the immediate needs of the affected residents.
After the fire, the retailer not only assisted with the distribution of household goods and foods to those in need but they also called on the nearby communities to support them.
Source: SPAR South Africa.
Read more about SPAR South Africa.
SPAR South Africa was established in 1963. It operates four retail formats: SPAR neighbourhood, SPAR Express (operated in conjunction with Shell as a petrol forecourt store), KWIKSPAR (which focuses on convenience in city centres and high footfall locations), and SUPERSPAR Supermarkets (similar to EUROSPAR in offer).
SPAR South Africa grants sub-licences to independent retailers to operate stores under one of the four formats, with almost all the current store portfolio being independently owned.
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]]>The post SPAR Hungary invest in new stores and trial Gen Z pop-up store appeared first on SPAR International.
]]>SPAR Hungary has converted a former car dealership into a 700m² modern SPAR Supermarket in District XV of Budapest. The almost HUF 1.5 billion investment aims to offer a new shopping experience to the district while revitalising an abandoned building. The store has eco-friendly systems including LED lighting and carbon-dioxide cooling technology. Customers enter into the fruit and vegetable section, which is opposite the bakery before accessing the ready-made meal section. The grocery aisles also offer a range of convenience products. The store employs 24 staff and caters to local residents of the Rákospalota, Pestújhely, Újpalota areas and visitors from the north of the capital.
SPAR Hungary revitalized a former commercial facility, investing 120 million HUF to open a SPAR Supermarket in Békéscsaba. The renovated space, employing 16 staff, has a focus on environmental sustainability with repurposed materials and equipment. Featuring a modernised façade, practical layout, and contemporary fittings, the 600m² store offers a range of organic, ‘free from,’ local, and private label products. New refrigeration equipment and bakery store fittings were installed during the renovation.
A new 2,600m2 INTERSPAR Hypermarket was opened in a modern, family-friendly area. This store is located within arm’s reach of Debrecen’s dynamically developing southern business zone. It is the second INTERSPAR Hypermarket to open in the town.
“It was not by chance that we chose this area of the city of Cívis as the location of our newest INTERSPAR Hypermarket. Several companies employing a significant number of employees have settled here recently. The number of young families with several children moving to the local area has also increased. Our new store was completed at an investment of HUF 3 billion. It will satisfy the needs of both those who regularly go to work here and those who live here. Customers can find not only a wide selection of food, but also electronic goods, clothing, gardening tools and toys,” said Márk Maczelka, SPAR Hungary’s communications manager.
For two days, SPAR Hungary ran an AI-powered, cashierless store at the Sneakerness festival in Budapest, targeted at Generation Z. The trial, incorporating a tailored product range, used AI technology, cameras, and weight sensors to create a seamless shopping experience.
“SPAR Hungary constantly strives to be able to address all of its customer groups: in the case of Generation Z, digital technology, contactless payment, and the creation of easy and comfortable navigation in the virtual space make this possible. In order to develop the innovation required for the new product, and then to put it into practice and apply it, we created our own project team, the members of which were selected from the Generation Z colleagues of our store chain, from the purchasing, sales and marketing department. Their primary mission was to develop a strategy, thanks to which we address the members of the young age group, who are at home in the digital space and the world of artificial intelligence, and bring SPAR closer to them as a brand and as a shopping place,” said Márk Maczelka, SPAR Hungary’s communications manager.
The 12-square-meter automated retail unit housed nearly 160 items, several of which were limited-edition, special-edition products. Customers could generate a QR code at the entrance using an application to gain entry to the store.
The positive shopper response as evidenced by around 400 transactions, will see the retailer assess the potential future of the mobile ‘Satellite Store S’ concept at special events and festivals across the country.
Source: SPAR Hungary
Read more about SPAR Hungary
The first SPAR Supermarket opened in Hungary in 1992, following the acquisition by ASPIAG (Austria SPAR International AG) of a majority stake in General Kereskedelmi Rt. SPAR Hungary is one of the country’s largest employers, with a network of company-owned and independently run stores operating nationwide.
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]]>The post SPAR Gran Canaria customers donate 30+ tonnes to food bank appeared first on SPAR International.
]]>During the campaign, held from November 24 – 26, volunteers from the Food Bank were present in all 156 SPAR Gran Canaria stores, collecting shoppers’ donations. The contributions included essential grocery products which could be purchased instore and were highlighted by dedicated spaces in the stores. The volunteers can also inform shoppers about the food drive and the work of the food bank. This year, customers donated an amazing 30,552 kilograms of food products for the campaign.
SPAR Gran Canaria’s President Ángel Medina, Vice-President José López, and Managing Director Dunia Pérez, presented this significant donation to the President of the Las Palmas Food Bank, Pedro Llorca, at the SPAR logistics centre in El Goro, Telde.
Through this 25-year partnership, SPAR Gran Canaria has consistently supported the Las Palmas Food Bank. In 2023, SPAR delivered over 61,000 kilos of solidarity goods donated to support this cause. Each year, in June and December, a food collection campaign is run in all SPAR stores on the island.
Source: SPAR Gran Canaria.
Read more about SPAR Spain.
SPAR Spain was founded in 1959 when a group of wholesalers who wished to join an international organisation came together. As a result, the brand became the first voluntary trading chain to be established in Spain, having been granted a license by SPAR International. Together, 13 regional SPAR wholesalers actively continue the expansion of the brand across the country.
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]]>The post SPAR UK donates to charities throughout the country appeared first on SPAR International.
]]>In September, SPAR UK launched a new Nurture our Neighbourhood campaign in partnership with the food redistribution charity FareShare. The campaign, titled ‘Giving One Million Meals’, would see SPAR donating £250,000 to FareShare. For every £1 donated, FareShare could redistribute enough food for the equivalent of 4 meals to communities across the UK. This would result in the equivalent of one million meals being donated to local charities in SPAR communities by FareShare.
A team from SPAR UK recently travelled to FareShare to present the £250,000 donation. Additionally the team volunteered in the warehouse to help get food to charities and community groups in the local area.
Suzanne Dover, SPAR UK brand and marketing director, said: “Supporting the community is at the heart of what we do. It was a privilege to volunteer at FareShare’s regional centre and see how SPAR UK’s donation will make a real difference to our communities this winter.”
Throughout 2023, SPAR wholesaler for Scotland, CJ Lang & son Ltd., has supported charities and local causes throughout Scotland. So far this year, approximately £165,000 has been donated across 300 Scottish organisations, groups and charities. Beneficiaries have included Langlee Carnival, Kirrie Thistle CFC Girls 14s football team, Dundee Pride, Neilston Players and Neilston Santa Sleigh Group, Reengage charity, Cycle Speedway League, Cults Parish Church and Change Centre Dundee and many more.
Colin McLean, CEO SPAR Scotland, said: “Being at the heart of local communities is hugely important to us and as a genuinely Scottish business, it’s even more important that we support good causes around the country. Our SPAR stores are in different localities across Scotland, where our customers have been very supportive. As a neighbourhood convenience store, it’s only fitting that we give something back.”
Source: SPAR UK.
Read more about SPAR UK.
The United Kingdom became a SPAR member in 1956 when SPAR International granted the SPAR licence to a group of independent wholesalers. There are five regional organisations in the UK, continually building the brand’s presence. A central office in London provides national marketing and buying services for the group. SPAR UK comprises independently owned, licensed, retailers and company-owned stores.
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]]>The post Charity support across the SPAR network: Contact International appeared first on SPAR International.
]]>In this issue of Contact International, we take a closer look at some of the long-standing partnerships between SPAR UK, SPAR Austria and SPAR Hungary with charities that support communities locally and nationally. From raising over £3 million for the Marie Curie foundation, to a 30-year partnership with the Hungarian Maltese Charity Service, we are pleased to highlight some of this exceptional work by SPAR country organisations.
SPAR International’s Contact International magazine is available in five languages (English, German, Spanish, Italian, and Mandarin Chinese). The online quarterly publication covers a wide range of retail industry subjects, reflecting our diverse and global business.
If you would like to subscribe to the online version, please send us an email.
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]]>The post SPAR Hungary customers donate 200 tonnes of food appeared first on SPAR International.
]]>This December, SPAR Hungary partnered with the Hungarian Order of Malta to again run the ‘Joy to Give!’ (Adni Öröm!) Christmas campaign. During the campaign, volunteers were located at selected SPAR and INTERSPAR stores to accept food donations from customers. Shoppers could donate food items like sugar, pasta, canned goods, and sweets to support families in need this Christmas. Customers could also donate in other forms such as charity donation cards which were available both instore or online.
SPAR Hungary commissioned research which showed that 9 out of 10 people agree that donations, no matter what size, can be useful and beneficial for those in need. The campaign focus followed this message: that even the smallest of donations could make a difference this festive season. This was the inspiration for the campaign tagline: “Your donation is worth treasures”.
Nearly 200 tonnes of food was donated by SPAR customers supporting the campaign this Christmas. Additionally, more than 6.3 million Hungarian Forints (HUF) was donated through the donation cards purchased in the SPAR online shop and instore, with supporters donating another 5 million HUF Maltese Charity Service website. The donations will help 25,000 thousand families across the country who will receive food gift boxes before the holidays.
As a socially responsible organisation, SPAR Hungary actively participates in important causes, and supporting families and children in need is one of its key charitable goals. This is the 27th time that the Joy to Give! campaign has run in SPAR and INTERSPAR stores, reflecting the spirit of ‘better together’ which is inherent to the brand.
Source: SPAR Hungary
Read more about SPAR Hungary
The first SPAR Supermarket opened in Hungary in 1992, following the acquisition by ASPIAG (Austria SPAR International AG) of a majority stake in General Kereskedelmi Rt. SPAR Hungary is one of the country’s largest employers, with a network of company-owned and independently run stores operating nationwide.
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]]>The post SPAR Zimbabwe recognised for long-standing monthly community clean-ups appeared first on SPAR International.
]]>SPAR Zimbabwe has been growing the scale of their community clean-ups since 2018. SPAR works closely with local companies to provide volunteers with water and cleaning bags. The two-hour timeslot for the clean-up aligns with nearby schools’ schedule. This allows pupils to also help out which raises their awareness of sustainability issues. The retailer hopes that more companies will support this annual programme into the future.
SPAR Zimbabwe was recently awarded Environmental Champion of the year Award from ESG Network Zimbabwe, recognising the efforts of SPAR in the area of sustainability. The Environmental Management Agency (EMA), which nominated SPAR for the award, highlighted efforts of SPAR to minimise the use of plastic in packaging, as well as the long-lasting commitment to the clean-up initiative. Steady Kangata, EMA Director, described SPAR as “versatile in adjusting to the changing environmental and societal needs and expectations, providing manpower and material resources necessary to meet expected demands.”
Clean-ups are not the only way in which SPAR Zimbabwe supports the environment. SPAR Zimbabwe’s responsible retailing strategy also includes social topics as a core focus including child rights and health issues.
Source: SPAR Zimbabwe.
Read more about SPAR Zimbabwe.
In 1967, Zimbabwe joined the SPAR network after a licence was granted to a local organisation by SPAR International. In 2015, an independent retailer took over the licence for the SPAR Brand in the market. SPAR Zimbabwe remains actively involved in the local community, helping to make a difference.
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]]>The post SPAR UK celebrates raising £3m for Marie Curie appeared first on SPAR International.
]]>Throughout the partnership, SPAR colleagues and customers across the UK have made a huge difference to those living with a terminal illness and their families by raising money for initiatives such as the Great Daffodil Appeal, Blooming Great Tea Party, Go Yellow, Scare to Show you Care, and many more.
SPAR stores have complemented fundraising efforts with own label products raising monies for Marie Curie from fresh cut daffodils to Christmas sandwiches. Individuals and groups in SPAR stores also took on epic treks, hosted events and baked treats to raise funds for the charity.
SPAR suppliers have demonstrated their continued commitment to the partnership, most recently supporting the Go Yellow campaign with a generous £35,000 donation.
In addition to raising vital funds, SPAR UK stepped up and helped respond to the coronavirus pandemic by distributing over 1 million pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) to Marie Curie Nurses delivering frontline care.
The £3 million raised by SPAR colleagues, customers, and suppliers since 2016 is enough to fund an incredible 130,000 hours of care from Marie Curie Nurses. This contribution makes a huge difference to people living with a terminal illness, and their loved ones, across the UK.
Source: SPAR UK
Read more about SPAR UK
The United Kingdom became a SPAR member in 1956 when SPAR International granted the SPAR licence to a group of independent wholesalers. There are five regional organisations in the UK, continually building the brand’s presence. A central office in London provides national marketing and buying services for the group. SPAR UK comprises independently owned, licensed, retailers and company-owned stores.
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