SPAR in China has a significant and widespread presence with over 353 stores across 33 cities in seven provinces nationwide. As China was preparing for the busiest time of year – the Chinese New Year and Spring festival – the coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak struck. The response by our partners was both exemplary and swift, and we applaud their reactions.

SPAR Partners in China have continued to serve their communities during the epidemic not only by providing for customers’ daily grocery needs but also through community initiatives, including generous donations towards epidemic prevention. Here, we highlight a sampling of these initiatives that lend support during these unprecedented challenging times.

 SPAR Shandong

Jiajiayue Group, SPAR Partner in the northern province of Shandong, on 1 February donated 8 million yuan (over €1 million) towards epidemic prevention and control efforts in the city of Weihai and Shandong province.

Acting in solidarity with their European colleagues, SPAR Shandong has also kindly donated 100,000 face masks and 100,000 gloves, which shall be distributed to SPAR stores throughout Europe.

SPAR Guangdong

SPAR Guangdong has donated more than 50,000 masks, antibacterial hand soap, and other protective items, as well as instant noodles and drinking water, providing material support to medical staff, public security police, journalists, etc., working at the frontline of epidemic prevention and control in the province. On 20 February, SPAR Guangdong also sent supplies from the SPAR Xinghecheng Supermarket to support the families of medical staff battling the epidemic in neighbouring Hubei province, the epicentre of the outbreak.

After learning that farmers were facing challenges selling agricultural products due to disruptions in the supply chain, SPAR Guangdong also purchased several tons of vegetables grown by local farmers, including various varieties of cabbage and broccoli – thereby providing vital support to local agricultural communities during the outbreak.

As the outbreak in Europe intensified, SPAR Guangdong also donated facemasks and acted very quickly to airfreight these to support SPAR stores throughout Europe.

SPAR Beijing

In addition to ensuring the supply of people’s daily grocery needs, Huaguan, SPAR Partner in Beijing, also contributed to the prevention and control of the epidemic by donating disinfection supplies, daily staples, and drinking water to local communities.

SPAR Henan

To support the epidemic prevention and control work in Hubei province and in the city of Kaifeng, SPAR’s partner in Henan donated 2 million yuan in funds and materials to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Of this donation, 1 million yuan was used for material aid to frontline workers in epidemic prevention and control efforts in the city of Kaifeng, Henan province. One million yuan was donated to the epidemic area in Hubei to help them overcome the consequences of the epidemic.

Better Together

At SPAR, we are a family. A global family of retailers who choose to work together around the world, to support each other, to pull together and particularly in these present challenging times of the COVID-19 outbreak, this call of solidarity and partnership has never been stronger.

Since the start of the epidemic, SPAR Partners in China have exemplified this sense of solidarity as a retailer acting with great responsibility towards team members, customers, and local communities.

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 a presence in seven provinces in China: Shandong, Guangdong, 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.