SPAR Hungary was awarded the title of 'Supermarket Chain of the Year 2024' and its INTERSPAR Hypermarket in Debrecen received the 'Hypermarket of the Year 2024' award. The retail organisation also garnered several sustainability awards while SPAR Hungary's Head of Quality and Environmental Management was named Sustainability Ambassador. Furthermore, SPAR Hungary’s innovative products were recognised with multiple awards.

‘Supermarket & Hypermarket of the Year 2024’

This year, Trade Magazine invited Hungarian stores and chains to compete in its 10th annual competition. SPAR Hungary won the ‘Supermarket Chain of the Year 2024’ award for its network of 332 stores.

SPAR Hungary’s Újpest district in Budapest store, which was modernised last year to improve customer experience and sustainability, won the ‘Supermarket of the Year 2024’ award. The store offers an extensive product range, including healthy and convenient options.

The INTERSPAR Hypermarket in Debrecen was named ‘Hypermarket of the Year 2024’. This 2,600m² store, which opened in November 2023, offers over 20,000 products and features eco-friendly technologies including LED lighting, CO2-based cooling, and digital price displays.

Promoting Hungarian products

The Retail Award of Excellence for Hungarian Products (Magyar Termékekért Kereskedelmi Nívódíj), established by Trade Magazine and the Magyar Termék nonprofit organisation, recognises chains that promote Hungarian products. An online survey revealed that SPAR branded stores were the most popular store to find Magyar Termék-branded products. SPAR Hungary first won this award in 2023 and has won it again in 2024.

Carbon-conscious event recognised

The Green Pledge initiative, launched in 2022, encourages the Hungarian marketing and advertising sector to become more environmentally conscious. This year, SPAR Hungary’s carbon-conscious event, linked to the Budapest Wine Festival, won in the green advertising category. SPAR Hungary offset the event’s carbon footprint by planting 392 trees.

In the Green Education category, SPAR Hungary’s ‘Tervezz okosan!’ (Plan Smarter!) campaign, carried out jointly with Nestlé Hungária, was recognised for promoting sustainable lifestyles, reducing food waste, minimising packaging, and encouraging selective waste collection.

Sustainability initiatives awarded

Trade Magazine held its fifth Symbol of Sustainability competition, where Csilla Zombory, SPAR Hungary’s Head of Quality and Environmental Management, was named Sustainability Ambassador. She played a key role in launching SPAR Hungary’s deposit return system in Hungary over the past four years.

SPAR Hungary also won in the ‘Packaging’ category for its initiative to reduce packaging on S-BUDGET minced meat. The new packaging uses 70% less plastic.

SPAR Hungary earns Gold for brand experience

SPAR Hungary’s commitment to improving the customer experience was recognised with Store Insider magazine’s ‘Customer-Friendly Award of the Year 2024’, where SPAR Hungary achieved gold status. The award highlighted solutions that enhance everyday shopping experiences and guarantee quality and trustworthiness.

Product recognition

SPAR Hungary products also received multiple awards. In the Inno d’Or – Innovation of the Year 2024 competition, the SPAR purpur range’s bread roll and cocoa swirl bun products won first place in the food category. The rediscovery of purpur wheat is one of the most significant food innovations in recent years. These products stand out for their high protein and fibre content.

SPAR Hungary’s premium mango syrup was awarded in the non-alcoholic beverage category of the Nők Lapja Food Awards. SPAR Korall fresh salad mix was named the winner of a blind test conducted by the blog Maradok a pénzemnél (Keeping My Money). The test compared pre-packed salads based on smell, texture, and taste. The winning mix was praised for its fresh and pleasant aroma and variety of ingredients. The S-BUDGET pork mince also won ‘Own-Brand Product of the Year 2024’ in the meat category by Store Insider magazine.

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. SPAR Hungary is one of the country’s largest employers, with a network of company-owned and independently run stores operating nationwide.