In addition to previously announced investments of €450,000 in relation to the corona virus COVID-19 outbreak, the group has set aside funds for consumers and their teams. Responding to a call to the food retail sector to support families in need, shopping vouchers to the sum of 50,000 euro will be redeemable at DESPAR stores in the regions where Maiora Group operates.

DESPAR Partner Maiora, operator of the SPAR brand in Southern and Central Italy, will also give a 10% discount to the local institutions buying the special vouchers for customers to shop in their DESPAR stores in this region. Those families most in need which have been identified by local authorities will receive the special vouchers, ensuring they can purchase essential groceries. This decision was taken in response to a call from the Prime Minister of Italy recently, appealing to the private sector for additional support for the many families suffering from the economic impact of the corona virus COVID-19 outbreak.

Just this week, DESPAR Italia announced that all of the partners had agreed to donate the sum of €500,000 to the Spallanzani Institute in Rome.

In addition to this support for local communities, all colleagues working in the stores and distribution centres, as well as the central offices and drivers, who continue to ensure ongoing product fulfillment for consumers will receive a bonus. Making this announcement, Mr Pippo Cannillo, CEO of SPAR Partner Maiora, thanked the commitment of all colleagues who are working tirelessly during this emergency, always being responsible and showing incredible dedication.

DESPAR Maiora has already invested €450,000 in bonuses being paid to, and medical insurance cover being made available for, the over 2,000 people working in the group.

Source : La Gazzetta del Mezzogiorno, Maiora

About SPAR Italy

SPAR Italy was first granted the licence to operate the SPAR Brand in 1959. The first store opened in the latter part of 1960 and with it, SPAR became the first partnership of retailers and wholesalers to operate in the country. SPAR Italy, known locally as DESPAR Italia, licenses regional partners, all of whom work together to grow the brand across the country.

The DESPAR Partners operate stores under three formats: DESPAR Neighbourhood Supermarkets, EUROSPAR Supermarkets and INTERSPAR Hypermarkets. Many of the larger format stores are company-owned, reflecting the scale of investment required. While the majority of the company’s turnover is acquired through these larger format stores, the independently owned neighbourhood supermarkets remain a key part of the business.