Following a challenging period as a result of COVID-19, SPAR has successfully expanded its presence in China with six new SPAR supermarkets in the provinces of Guangdong, Beijing and Shandong. Opened between 13 March and 1 May, the new stores ensure more communities have easy access to daily essentials. Beyond offering a vast assortment of goods, all stores have implemented comprehensive measures – including mandatory face masks – to ensure that the health and safety of customers and team members are safeguarded.

SPAR Guangdong
On 13 March, SPAR Guangdong opened the Shatian Biguiyuan Store in Dongguan City. The supermarket offers a comfortable shopping environment, with a wide assortment tailored to the varied local needs. On 17 March, the Bihai Lanwan Store officially opened in the same city. Featuring black shelves that complement the floors, the store’s 266m² sales area features staggered store displays showcasing the wide variety of goods in a particularly attractive and accessible manner. 

The Songhu Xingfuyuan Store opened on 18 April, again in Dongguan City, with a sales area of ​​more than 500m² and a high-quality assortment of 10,000 local and international products. SPAR Guangdong’s Chashan Napa Xigu Store opened on 29 April. With a sales area of ​​about 273m², this store meets the daily needs of community residents with a comprehensive range of products. Featuring glass walls, the store’s interior is bright and welcoming, with sophisticated black shelves and floors. The instore WiFi and charging spots add to the overall welcoming environment.

SPAR Shandong
A new upgraded, high-end Zibo Hongcheng Hypermarket opened in a prime location in Zibo New District, Zibo City, on 29 April. With a sales area of ​​6,200m², the Zibo Hongcheng Store has adopted a modern design using half-height displays, allowing a panoramic view of the store upon entering the premises. The assortment has been tailored to cater to local demands and preferences, with a selection of cooked and prepared meals also available to take-away or eat instore.

SPAR Beijing
On 1 May, a public holiday in China, SPAR opened the Yizhuang Supermarket in Beijing. Completed in just two days, this store features a sales area of about 1,000m². The SPAR Yizhuang store raises the bar in terms of customer experience. Not only is the store’s interior warm and inviting, but the assortment on offer also provides shoppers with all they need for all eating occasions. Moreover, the store offers online shopping and a home delivery service – ideal for customers looking to shop from the comfort of their own homes.

Ideal shopping environment
To create a safe and convenient shopping environment, the new stores showcase several measures geared towards protecting the wellbeing of team members and customers alike. These include infrared thermometers at the entrance, signage to encourage adequate space between customers in the checkout area, as well as ventilation systems to ensure constant airflow.

The stores are fully disinfected before and after trading hours as well as throughout the day. Cash registers, weighing platforms, shelves, and shopping baskets are regularly disinfected. Both customers and instore team members are required to wear a face mask and their body temperature is monitored before entering the store.

Source: SPAR China

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About SPAR China

SPAR was introduced to China in 2004 with the signing of the licence agreement for Shandong Province. This was followed by the addition of more partners, and now SPAR has eight partners in nine provinces: Shandong, Guangdong, Shanxi, Inner Mongolia, Beijing, Sichuan, Henan, Hebei and Yunnan.

The privately-owned retail chains licensed to operate SPAR have a cooperative relationship in line with the original SPAR mission of working together to reduce costs, maximise sales and increase profits. The SPAR China Partners, whilst part of a leading international group, maintain 100% local ownership.