SPAR Hungary experienced excellent results in 2018, recording €1.94 billion in sales – a growth of 9.8%. A total of €99 million was invested in expansion and modernisation, including the launch of six new SPAR stores and the renewal of 17 existing outlets. By the end of the year, SPAR Hungary had a total of 555 stores: 348 SPAR and SPAR City Supermarkets, 33 INTERSPAR Hypermarkets and 174 independent retailer run stores.

SPAR enjoy production facility

In addition to its various store expansion and modernisation projects, in 2018, SPAR Hungary opened a new 1,500m² SPAR enjoy production facility in Üllő. The facility complies with the highest food safety standards and it is the company’s aim to supply quality products made in Üllő to all SPAR, SPAR City and INTERSPAR stores in the country.

SPAR Own Brands

SPAR Hungary continually invests in the expansion of its own brand product range, offering customers a choice of 2,700 products. Last year, it increased the development of convenient healthy lines and improved the packaging design of several products. In total, SPAR Own Brand products accounted for 25% of SPAR Hungary’s turnover in 2018.

Employee focus

SPAR Hungary truly recognises the importance of its employees, offering  competitive salaries to ensure staff retention, providing a 13th cheque, and increasing benefits the longer one stays with the company. SPAR staff also receive a 5% discount on their purchases – 10% in peak seasons such as Christmas.

The family members of SPAR Hungary employees are also looked after. Every year for example, almost 500 children spend their holidays at summer camps free or charge, or at significantly reduced rates. At one holiday centre, not only are meals and accommodation provided for free, but SPAR Hungary also covers all transportation costs for children.

Corporate Social Responsibility

In 2018, more than €400,000 was spent on charitable initiatives, a large amount of which went towards the Hungarian Maltese Charity Service, which SPAR Hungary has supported for over 20 years. As part of its annual pre-Christmas Joy to Give campaign, 284 tonnes of food was donated to the Service and throughout the year, €43,000 was collected from Maltese Gift Card sales. An additional €20,000 was collected for the Hungarian Maltese Charity Service through the sale of shoulder bags in stores nationwide.

SPAR Hungary also donated more than €16,000 to 70 small-scale organisations in 2018 through its external support application system. More information on the programme is available on the SPAR Hungary website.

 Sustainability at SPAR

The entire SPAR Hungary operation, from its retail network to its logistics centre and corporate headquarters, is focused on the implementation of sustainable, environmentally-friendly initiatives. As an alternative to plastic bags, the company offers environmentally-friendly solutions such as paper shoulder bags, paper cooling bags, and reusable carrier bags. In 2018, a big move was the introduction of degradable, compostable bags, as well as additional PP and RPET-type, environmentally-friendly bags. SPAR Hungary also extended its glass recycling services, with 583 tonnes of glass collected in 2018.

Furthering its environmental awareness, SPAR Hungary has joined the EU initiative, STREFOWA, which promotes effective solutions for food waste in Central Europe.

Source: SPAR Hungary

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About SPAR Hungary

The first SPAR Supermarket opened in Hungary in 1992, following the acquisition by ASPIAG (Austria SPAR International AG) of a majority stake in General Kereskedelmi Rt. Since its launch, SPAR Hungary has been actively involved in the development of the retail industry in the country.

The move to license independent retailers to operate the SPAR Brand has proven to be very successful for Hungary, with new stores meeting the needs of a larger number of shoppers. The retailers benefit from becoming part of the SPAR organisation with access to own brand products, operating systems and the brand, whilst consumers enjoy the increased number of store locations.