SPAR Hungary recently celebrated the opening of its 200th independent retailer store in the town of Kunhegyes, in the northeast. SPAR Hungary plans to open 20-22 independently owned stores per year, with the focus on bringing the SPAR Brand to smaller communities. In 2019, the SPAR store network of independently owned stores generated a total turnover of almost €155 million and provided employment to 1,800 SPAR colleagues nationwide.

The 200th independently owned SPAR Supermarket is a small 206m² neighbourhood store located in a former department store. The store was completely rebuilt to raise the customer experience to the highest level, offering amongst others locally sourced bakery products, fresh fruit and vegetables, delicatessen, meat and poultry.

With its modern, clean interior and exterior, the new SPAR Supermarket ensures a pleasant shopping experience for customers. The opening of the newest SPAR store was attended by SPAR Hungary’s CEO, Gabriella Heiszler, who highlighted the strength of the national retail network. Throughout the design and construction, SPAR Hungary focused on energy-efficient solutions.

Growing the brand nationwide

“Our independent retailer programme was launched eight years ago, and we have reached an important milestone of 200 independent retailers. The past eight years have demonstrated that the cooperation between SPAR and its independent retailers is beneficial for all parties. We offer our partners an extensive product range, product deliveries up to six times a week, marketing support and promotions as well as the use of our modern IT system and the SuperShop loyalty programme. SPAR Hungary also provides independent retailers access to an extensive range of local and regionally sourced products”, said Márk Maczelka, Head of Communications at SPAR Hungary.

In addition to 200 stores operated by independent retailers, SPAR Hungary currently operates 382 corporate stores nationwide.

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 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.