Embedded in local communities, SPAR Shandong continues to connect and support local suppliers. In March, the SPAR China partner purchased 8 tonnes of surplus apples from a local elderly farmer in Weihai, ensuring the local variety would not be wasted.

Under normal circumstances, Shandong farmer Tang Deqi sells his produce to be processed for export. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the company that usually buys the produce has not been able to do so this year. 

As a result, the produce was at risk of going to waste, while Tang Deqi struggled to pay his workers.

After learning about the farmer’s plight, SPAR Shandong used its supply chain capabilities to procure 8 tonnes of the apples and place them on the shelves at its Weihai and Yantai stores, featuring a sign explaining their origin. 

As local media had widely publicized the apple farmer’s predicament, customers were eager to show their support by buying some apples to take home.

“Customers care deeply about the products of our ‘Love to Help Farmers’ campaigns. A total of 200 kg of local apples were on the shelves this morning, and they sold very well. The majority of consumers who walked to the fruit area would buy some”, said a team member at one of the Weihai City SPAR stores offering the local produce. 

Source: SPAR China

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About SPAR

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 partners in seven provinces: Shandong, Guangdong, Beijing, Sichuan, Henan, Hebei, and Yunnan.

The privately-owned retail chains licensed to operate SPAR have a cooperative relationship. This partnership is 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.