SPAR has continued its rapid expansion in the Middle East following its entry into the Omani retail market in 2015 in partnership with local business conglomerate Khimji Ramdas.

The recent opening of the latest SPAR store in Oman – a 200m² SPAR Express store based on the forecourt of the al Maha Petrol Station – is adjacent to the al Khoud-Sultan Qaboos University.  The opening is part of a growth-based partnership with al Maha petrol operators which will see the conversion of 15 existing stores to SPAR Express in 2017.

The opening of this SPAR Express store highlights the new approach to neighbourhood retailing by SPAR Oman, incorporating products beyond the traditional convenience store offer. The store offers a diverse range of products including fresh fruit & vegetables, frozen meat & poultry as well as ready to cook meals in addition to confectionary, tobacco and snack items.

An increase in brand awareness among Omani consumers has been attributed to visibility growth across social media platforms, as well as the launch of online recipe videos and healthy eating initiatives.

The second SPAR Express store which has been developed in this style is larger at 330m² in size. This store will open in the al Khoud 6 Area on 15^th June, 2017.

Since the opening of the first SPAR store in Oman in February 2015, SPAR has enjoyed exponential growth and a consistently strengthening presence in the Middle East. 2016 saw an increase in turnover in the Sultanate by 193% to €18 million.