In 2016, 46 new stores were opened, including 22 SPAR Express forecourt stores. The investment in the store network, the refurbishment of the meat processing plant and a focus on staff training all paid off with retail sales growing to €1.64 billion. By the end of 2016, there were 345 SPAR Supermarkets and 32 INTERSPAR Hypermarkets in operation throughout the country.

Highlights of 2016:

The SPAR Independent Retailer Programme

The number of stores in the SPAR Independent Retailer Programme reached the 100-mark milestone in September 2016, almost exactly four years after the first store in the franchise programme opened in Budapest. By the end of the year, there were a total of 116 stores operating under the partnership programme and agreements were concluded with 81 private retailers throughout the country. The ever-expanding independent retailer network already employs more than 1,300 people and the total annual turnover of the stores exceeds 30 billion HUF. More than half of these stores are found in Budapest.

 Specialised meat-processing plant training

SPAR Hungary distributes more than 30 million kilogrammes of pork annually and is the only retail company in the country to have its own meat-processing plant. Starting in 2015, special training sessions have been held for 24 Fresh Goods Managers, 53 Top Sales Assistants, 216 network staff members and 30 independent retailer partners – all of whom have improved their professional skills related to meat products.

SPAR Own Brand products

Own Brand products have played a significant part of the SPAR Hungary business right from the start. The partner offers a range of around 2,300 SPAR Own Brand products, under 20 different brand names. The product ranges have continuously expanded thanks to new supplier agreements. Ranges include S-Budget, SPAR Natur*Pur Bio, SPAR Free-from and SPAR Vital – meeting the needs of a varied group of customers. In 2016, SPAR Hungary introduced the Veggie by NENI range, which targets fans of a meat-free lifestyle.

Employee development

With 13,000 employees, SPAR is one of Hungary’s largest employers. It strongly believes in employee development and as such, invests in training colleagues in a variety of different fields. Each year, the business organises the ‘SPAR Excellent Student’ competition for school students looking for work in the retail industry. In 2016, 47 students took part. Other training programmes include the TOP Sales Assistant and SPAR Master trainings, with 66 participants earning their certificates in 2016. In addition to onsite and practical training, the company also makes use of e-learning programmes, covering a large scope of services, from bakery to butchery.

SPAR was the first Hungarian business to join a dual college/university education programme. In 2016 the company also concluded an agreement with another higher education institution, the Edutus College, to welcome additional students to its corporate traineeship programme.

Recruitment office in Budapest

SPAR Hungary is always on the look-out for new employees and in 2016, it opened its first recruitment office in Budapest to directly and effectively reach potential candidates. Located in a SPAR Supermarket, two HR experts are on hand in the office to meet anyone interested in working for SPAR. Job-seekers can ask for information in person, with the HR staff answering any questions they may have before applying for a position or having a job interview.

Community involvement

Charitable and community involvement projects played a major part of SPAR Hungary’s activities in 2016 with almost 100 sponsorship initiatives undertaken and a total of 22 million HUF donated to different organisations and institutions. A milestone in this area was the celebration of 20 years of support for the Hungarian Maltese Charity Service (Magyar Máltai Szeretetszolgálat) with 288 tonnes of food products collected in 165 SPAR stores, enabling the preparation of 33,000 food packages for people in need.

What’s ahead in 2017?

This year, business has begun on another good note for SPAR Hungary with the opening of its 33rd INTERSPAR Hypermarket – more of which can be read about here. Further plans for 2017 include the renovation of 24 stores and the opening of five new ones.