DESPAR Centro-Sud continues to roll out its compact hypermarket concept, ‘Format 35′, developed in partnership with SPAR International and the University of Parma. This latest store is restyled based on the innovations of this concept. LED lighting systems have been installed as well as the latest generation refrigerators, thereby reducing energy consumption.
The 1,450m 2 sales area offers customers modernised fresh food departments, including gastronomy, fruits and vegetables, butchery, and fish. Ready-to-eat and ready-to-heat meals are prepared for all times of day, with the chefs using traditional recipes and ingredients. Convenience is also on offer in the Pronto Fresco corner where shoppers can find pre-cut fruit, soups, and juices which are ready to eat. Sushi has been added to the range of meals on offer in the fish department. Shoppers can stay in to enjoy a delicious meal or drink in the instore dining area.
DESPAR Nord Ovest has the license to operate in the northwest of the country. In the cities of Avigliana, Rivoli, Villar Dora, Sant’Antonino and Villafrance D’Asti, the Nocera family has been successful in large-scale retail for over twenty years. Most recently, five EUROSPAR Supermarkets run by this group have been modernised, expanding the fresh food offerings available.
The focus on fresh products and private labels available, of which 98% are sourced in Italy, puts a spotlight on local and regional quality foods. Customers not only visit the stores for their daily grocery needs but also to enjoy delicious, fresh-ground coffee available from the instore roastery.
Earlier this year, DESPAR Italia announced that plans for continued growth in 2022 included licensed partners investing over €100 million.
DESPAR Nord Ovest launched an initiative to raise funds for schools in the areas in which they operate, called ‘Scuolafacendo’. Customers can donate points earned for shopping between 15 September and 30 November to their local school. Registration to join the programme is open until 14 January 2023. Schools can use the points until 25 February 2023 to order equipment and teaching aids in the catalogue on the site which are then delivered free.
Source: DESPAR Italia
Read more news about SPAR in Italy
SPAR Italy, known locally as DESPAR Italia, was first granted the SPAR Brand’s licence in 1959. The first store opened in 1960, making SPAR the first partnership of retailers and wholesalers to operate in the country. In addition, SPAR Italy licenses regional partners, all of whom work together to grow the brand across the country.
The DESPAR consortium operates 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. The independently owned neighbourhood supermarkets are a vital part of the organisation’s strategy to bring a high-quality, tailored grocery offering to communities.
