SPAR Hungary has doubled its 2021 retail sales growth to 15.6% in 2022 with turnover totalling 915.7 billion HUF. Effective initiatives supporting affordable, fast, and convenient food shopping contributed to this strong growth. Substantial investment in sustainability led to SPAR Hungary receiving various industry awards. SPAR is one of the largest employers in Hungary, offering employment to about 14,000 team members.

New and modernised stores

SPAR Hungary ended the year 2022 with 623 stores nationwide. A total of 18.6 billion HUF was invested in the development of two new stores in Budapest and the modernisation of 11 existing stores across the country.

Sustainability is the main focus when it comes to store development. All new and modernised stores have a reduced environmental impact and implemented energy-efficient solutions, including LED-lighting, solar panels, CO2-based cooling technologies, and charging stations for electric cars. By 2021, greenhouse gas emissions decreased by 49% compared to 2017. This positive tendency continued in 2022.

SPAR partner programme celebrates 10^th anniversary

The first SPAR partner franchise store opened ten years ago in Mór. Currently, 248 stores are operated by independent retailers. In 2022, the network was extended by 14 new stores. With sales of 103.1 billion HUF, the franchise stores contributed about 10% of SPAR Hungary’s total turnover in 2022.

Expanded online platform

SPAR Hungary’s online shop was launched three years ago and expanded substantially in 2022.

Across 200 locations, about 18,000 products and 30 instore pick-up points are available for customers. Over 150,000 online orders were made in 2022. The company switched from printed order overviews to digital ones, saving over three tonnes of paper each year. Customers can now also return their paper bags to be recycled.

Own brand products across borders

Since their launch in 1997, SPAR Hungary’s own brand products have become increasingly popular. In 2022, the range was expanded by 10%. Own brand products now account for one third of the total sales. Some of these products became available for shoppers abroad in June 2022, when SPAR Slovenia started importing dry and frozen SPAR Own Brand products from Hungary.

Sustainability measures

SPAR Hungary has increased the percentage of collected paper and plastic to over 70%. Last year, plastic use was reduced by 13.5 tonnes, and through the introduction of thinner packaging film for meat products, another 84 tonnes of plastic per year will be reduced. Since August 2022, only biodegradable bags for fruit and vegetables are offered in all stores nationwide, leading to 450 tonnes less plastic every year.

There are 80 SPAR stores where shoppers can return used cooking oil for recycling. SPAR Hungary also provides the option to return PET and aluminium cans, used batteries, paper, and glass waste.

Source: SPAR Hungary

Read more about SPAR Hungary.

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 licensing of independent retailers to operate the SPAR Brand in Hungary has proven successful. The retailers benefit from access to SPAR Own Brand products and expertise, while consumers enjoy the increased number of store locations. SPAR Hungary is one of the country’s largest employers, with nearly 18,000 team members. SPAR Hungary runs a network of over 610 company-owned and independently-run stores. The retailer’s online platform is available in Budapest and over 50 surrounding municipalities.