SPAR has expanded its presence in Australia with two new locally owned and operated stores. Located in Queensland and New South Wales, both stores aim to create a one-stop shop for their respective communities, so that there is no need to travel to neighbouring towns for their everyday needs.  

Karumba
The SPAR Supermarket in Karumba, located on the coast in Australia’s Shire of Carpentaria Queensland, is operated by Martha and Mick Crombie. As well as running the store, Martha is a part-time physiotherapist for the town and runs a cattle station with approximately 1,500 head, just north of Richmond. 

Martha aims to “bust the myth that outback stores are tired, old, and not fresh. We work hard to ensure that our fresh produce is as fresh and appealing as possible and that we range as many products as we can to compete with online shopping”.

With their vast range on grocery, dairy, frozen foods, and fresh produce, the store also includes a department selling electrical appliances and a gardening section, with a café next door.

Martha said the plan is to grow the business and continue to improve the store. The last few years have been challenging as various industries shut down in the town and COVID-19 has affected the influx of tourists.

SPAR Karumba will be trading seven days a week: from 7 am to 5:30 pm Monday to Friday; and 7 am to Midday on Saturday and Sunday, making shopping easy for customers.

Nana Glen
SPAR Australia is also proud to announce the opening of Shane Punton’s SPAR Express store in Nana Glen, which is in a village 25km inland north-west of Coffs Harbour, New South Wales. 

Store owner Shane has been in retail for twenty years and has owned and operated service stations as well as supermarkets along the Northern New South Wales and Newcastle areas. 

On deciding to take on the store, Shane commented that he “saw a store that needed some love and could see great potential to create something that locals could support and would help him to give something back to the community.”   

In keeping it local, Shane has employed a Store Manager and staff from the Nana Glen community, who have been a great help while the store went through a complete refurbishment. 

SPAR Express Nana Glen offers an excellent grocery, dairy, and frozen foods range, including fresh produce and food-to-go solutions.

SPAR Express Nana Glen will be trading seven days a week, from 6 am to 8 pm to providing great convenience to customers. 

Source: SPAR Australia

Read more about SPAR Australia

About SPAR Australia

SPAR began trading in Australia in 1994. The current company was formed in 2006 and in late 2010 a new majority shareholder, Jardin Investments Pty Ltd, was confirmed, which has significantly accelerated the modernisation of the SPAR Brand in Australia.

SPAR Australia Limited is an unlisted public company with an elected Board of Directors. SPAR Australia licences and supports independent retailers to develop the brand, providing a range of services through its Distribution Centre and offices.