Just in time for the start of the ice-hockey season, SPAR Croatia has entered into a sponsorship agreement with ice hockey club, Medveščak, in Zagreb. This coming season, SPAR Croatia will organise a variety of ice hockey linked activities, providing support to young ice hockey players from Medveščak, which is by far the most successful and popular ice hockey club in the country.

SPAR Crotia was officially introduced as the new partner during a recent press conference at the club. Helmut Anton Fenzl, CEO of SPAR Croatia, commented on the new partnership saying: “We are delighted and proud to be the partner of ice hockey club Medveščak for the coming season, as we appreciate the history of the club and the warm relationship between the club and its fans. Medveščak is a well-loved club that keeps the real sporting spirit in the stands and on the ground.”

In addition to financial support for the club, the sponsorship will include various activities for customers and SPAR retailers. Raffles and customer events rewarding customer loyalty, are just one part of the promotion plan SPAR Croatia has in place to share awareness of the importance of sport, fair play and community.

SPAR and the Bears from Medveščak have organised some fantastic events so far for both adults and children. For home matches, 40 tickets have been given away to fans of two popular local radio shows with players from Medveščak also participating in a radio broadcast. It was a lot of fun for the listeners and created great awareness of SPAR Own Brand products. The entire show was livestreamed on the SPAR Croatia Facebook page.

Another event organised when the Bears were playing on home ground in Zagreb, was a meet and greet for little ice hockey fans in the INTERSPAR Retkovec Hypermarket. The kids got to talk to their idols and also had the chance to play hockey with them. Pictures of the children and the players were published on the club’s official Facebook Page.

Additional attention of this great partnership has been provided through SPAR leaflets and a TV advertisement. Furthermore, on all home-day matches, employees of SPAR stores in Zagreb have started wearing club Medveščak shirts.

About SPAR Croatia

The first SPAR Hypermarket opened in Croatia in mid-2005, following the signing of the licence agreement between ASPIAG (a subsidiary of SPAR Austria AG) and SPAR International in 2004. As a member of the ASPIAG group, SPAR Croatia has access to a wide range of own brand products. Brand development has primarily taken place through SPAR Supermarkets and INTERSPAR Hypermarkets, both through the take-over of existing chains and the opening of new stores.