SPAR International, the world’s largest voluntary food retail chain, has today announced a new partnership with Burque Group to open its first stores in Pakistan.

The partnership commences with a focus on the development of stores in Pakistan’s biggest city, Karachi. SPAR multi-format stores, ranging from small convenience to large supermarket will expand over time across the country. By opening these stores, Pakistan becomes part of SPAR’s international network which now extends to 46 countries across the globe.

Established 50 years ago, Burque Group is one of Pakistan’s largest sales management and distribution companies of a diversified range of FMCG brands and since 1974, has been a key distributor for major brands in the country. The company distributes food, non-food, home care, personal care and beauty products, serving in excess of 110,000 retail and wholesale outlets across the country.

SPAR International has been working closely with Burque Group over the past 10 months preparing for the launch of the SPAR Brand in the market. Support has been given on all aspects of development including staff training, operational procedures and retail design.

SPAR Pakistan’s first Karachi store is a newly built 1,000m² supermarket with a bakery, butchery, full dairy offering, fruit and vegetable section, Food-to-Go counter, full dry grocery offer as well as a pharmacy and health and beauty sections.

SPAR International Managing Director, Tobias Wasmuht said: “SPAR is delighted to be entering Pakistan in partnership with Burque Group. The country is set to become one of the fastest growing retail markets in the world. With a population of over 200 million – two-thirds of whom are under the age of 30, with a quarter living in the top 20 cities – the SPAR model is tailor-made to respond to the growing demand from consumers for modern, world-class food retailing. In Burque Group we have partnered with, not only a company with a significant pedigree in retail distribution, but shared values when it comes to professionalism, excellence, teamwork and collaboration. We look forward to working closely to successfully launch and expand the SPAR Brand in the region.”

Speaking about the new partnership, Ali Sherazi, Chief Executive Officer of SPAR Pakistan said: “We are very proud to announce the opening of the first SPAR Supermarket in Pakistan. We are thankful to have been guided all the way in the development and launch of our store by SPAR International who have provided an amazing support throughout this journey. Both SPAR Pakistan and SPAR International believe that the launch of SPAR will be a watershed moment for food retailing in Pakistan. We have worked hard to ensure that we offer consumers the best that Pakistan has to offer in terms of fresh fruit, vegetables, milk, meat and baked goods. We are 100% aligned with the values of SPAR in terms of Freshness, Choice, Quality and Service and are committed to providing a shopping experience which is second to none.”