At the age of 25, the ambitious Danish SPAR retailer Xjengis Saliji on 23 March opened his first supermarket in Svendborg, a prominent town located on the island of Funen in south-central Denmark.

Key location

The newly constructed SPAR Supermarket in Christiansvej is located right in the town centre, with residential apartments situated above the store. The supermarket places a strong emphasis on providing a diverse range of fresh food offerings, including a large selection of fruit and vegetables, fresh meat, and locally sourced milk from trusted suppliers. The SPAR store also offers freshly baked bread sourced directly from the local bakery, enriching the shopping experience for customers. The supermarket offers employment to 17 team members, including ten people keen to learn about retail.

Xjengis is determined to deliver an exceptional shopping experience to the local community. By focusing on the supply of fresh, high-quality food products and fostering relationships with local suppliers, Xjengis aims to establish SPAR in  Christiansvej as a renowned destination for customers seeking convenience and superior service.

Independent SPAR retailer at 25

Xjengis was born in Prizren, Kosovo, but grew up in Denmark with his parents and three siblings. At the young age of 15, he started working in retail at SPAR Tved in Svendborg. His hard work and dedication didn’t go unnoticed, and within a year, he was promoted to a service employee, working at the checkout after school. While completing his apprenticeship as a sales assistant at Dagrofa ApS, the company licensed to operate the SPAR brand in Denmark, Xjengis received an invitation from a fellow retailer to join his newly converted SPAR store. He took the opportunity and began working at a different SPAR store operated by the same retailer while pursuing his studies. Later on, he relocated to Hvidbjerg Thyholm, where he was warmly welcomed by SPAR retailer Michael Sørensen and his family. Xjengis played an active role in the successful launch of the newly constructed SPAR Hvidbjerg store, serving as the Deputy Store Manager.

After 3.5 years in Hvidbjerg, Xjengis decided to move back to his hometown of Svendborg. There, he finally achieved his aspiration of managing his own SPAR store. It was a significant accomplishment for him, considering his journey from working as a teenager in a SPAR store to becoming the owner of his own supermarket.

Distinctive features

Together with his 17 team members, Xjengis provides his customers with exceptional, personalised, service. They create a friendly atmosphere by addressing customers by their first names and ensuring top-notch customer service. Xjengis differentiates himself from the competition through his commitment to sourcing locally sourced products. Additionally, he cooperates with two fellow retailers from Svendborg to develop attractive weekly promotions that further enhance the customers’ shopping experience.

Community involvement

The store has become an essential part of the local community. When asked about the role his business plays within the community, Xjengis said, “No one can do everything, but everyone can do something. Together, we can accomplish it all.” This reflects his commitment to fostering a collective spirit and making a positive impact. With an optimistic outlook on the future, Xjengis said, “The future looks promising; it improves each day and week.”

Source: SPAR Denmark

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About SPAR Denmark

SPAR Denmark was founded in 1954 when Danish retail company, Dagrofa, was granted a licence to operate the brand in the market. In 2013, NorgesGruppen purchased 49% of the Dagrofa Group. SPAR Denmark has strengthened customer experience in stores, continued the modernisation and digitalisation of stores and initiated the testing of unmanned stores.