To meet the rapidly rising demand for e-grocery options, SPAR Hungary has expanded the catchment area of its popular home delivery and click-and-collect service. After adding more areas, the e-grocery service is now available to almost 2.3 million customers in the country. SPAR Hungary in March also relaunched its popular taxi delivery service for online orders.

SPAR Hungary first launched its popular online shop in 2019, following an investment of nearly €3 million. In 2020, the SPAR operator increased the number of e-commerce service team members to 144 to meet the growing customer demand. It also added new delivery time slots and improved the service’s efficiency.

“Customers have welcomed the online shopping service, and this is reflected in turnover figures. Compared to the previous year, we achieved three-digit growth in 2020. For 2021, we expect to see an additional two-digit increase. Furthermore, we intend to expand our delivery services to additional towns and villages in 2021”, explained Márk Maczelka, Head of Communications at SPAR Hungary.

Expanded catchment area

SPAR Hungary recently added the major cities of Kecskemét and Zalaegerszeg to the e-commerce catchment area. This ensures that customers in the counties of Bács-Kiskun in Southern Hungary and Zala can access the e-commerce platform, home delivery and the contactless pick-up option.

The e-grocery home delivery and instore pick-up services already cover Hungary’s capital, Budapest, and almost 50 surrounding municipalities, Tatabánya and surrounding villages, as well as nine popular municipalities around Lake Velence. SPAR Hungary offers the entire instore product range of almost 21,000 items at the same prices as in any of its INTERSPAR Hypermarkets.

Home delivery by taxi

In early April 2020, during the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic, SPAR Hungary strengthened its home delivery and in-store pick-up services by offering a TAXI SHOPPING delivery service. In collaboration with Hungary’s largest taxi company, Főtaxi Group, the service offered a convenient and safe alternative to customers who needed to stay home. Due to its success, the service was relaunched on 19 March 2021.

“Since a state of emergency was declared in Hungary, Főtaxi Group has been working to protect jobs and fulfil its social responsibility, as demand for taxi services has decreased significantly. We are proud to cooperate with SPAR Hungary. The increasing demand for delivery services is proof that our partnership is strong and sustainable”, said Ádám Reich, CEO of Főtaxi.

For more information about SPAR Hungary’s online store, read this feature article in our quarterly magazine, Contact International.

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 developing the country’s retail industry.

The move to license independent retailers to operate the SPAR Brand has proven 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.