SPAR Hungary's inaugural Sustainability Report was recently released, showcasing accomplishments throughout 2022. The organisation’s sustainability activities revolve around five main areas: environmental protection, food safety, healthy lifestyles, employee protection, and social responsibility. These key pillars are closely aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

“We have kept focusing on the company’s sustainability vision even during a year of economic difficulties in 2022. SPAR Hungary aims to further enhance its commitment to sustainability in regard to employees, customers, and suppliers, to become Hungary’s leading retail chain addressing sustainability issues and challenges”, explained Gabriella Heiszler, President and CEO of SPAR Hungary.

Supporting domestic products

SPAR Hungary is committed to supporting local small businesses to sell products across their store network. One great initiative is the Hungaricool competition, organised for the fourth time in 2022, for which applicants can enter high-quality, newly-developed products manufactured in Hungary. The Regions of Treasures programme, launched in 2021, also improves market access for small-scale Hungarian producers. An additional benefit are the six SPAR distribution centres located across the country, reducing shipping distances for suppliers.

Reducing plastic and food waste

In the second half of 2022, SPAR Hungary phased out single-use plastic bags from its fruit and vegetable departments. Since August 2022, only biodegradable bags are available to customers, reducing the amount of plastic by 450 tonnes per year.

SPAR is also committed to reducing food waste. In partnership with the Hungarian Maltese Charity Service, the retailer donates food items that have reached their expiration date. Between September and December 2022, 11 stores contributed over 32,000 kg of food to this charitable cause.

From November 2022, 21 test stores started working with the Hungarian Munch food-saving app, offering discounted prices on products nearing their expiration dates, thus helping prevent unnecessary food waste. The trial has proved successful, saving nearly 10,000 kg of food during its first two months (November and December).

2022 key achievements

• Energy use dropped by over 3%, aided by photovoltaic panel installation.
• Waste reduced by 2,200 tonnes (6.4%) compared to 2021.
• Expanded used cooking oil collection points.
• 450 tonnes less plastic annually in F&V departments and bakeries.
• Reduction of plastic use by 84 tonnes annually due to new logistics packaging.
• Addition of health-focused and ‘free from’ products.
• 90% of employees engaged in 2022 job satisfaction survey.
• Employee training hours increased by 20%.
• Donated €630,000 to charitable causes.
• “Joy to Give!” Christmas campaign aided 19,500 families.
• Pet food collection gathered 12,000 kg of dry pet food and 11,000 cans/pouches.

Read more on SPAR Hungary’s sustainability initiatives.

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.