SPAR Russia Partner, SPAR Kaliningrad, has opened a new Distribution Centre (DC) of 12,500m2 in size, with the capacity to deliver to the growing network of SPAR stores in Russia.

The DC has been specifically developed to supply SPAR and EUROSPAR Supermarkets with dry groceries, chilled produce such as eggs, meat and fish, as well as frozen seafood, preserved fish and caviar. Additionally, there is a banana maturing area of 60m² with a supporting 145m² picking zone. There is also capacity to distribute fruit and vegetables from a dedicated area of 949m² in size.

The grand opening on 15 September was attended by key representatives of the local community who expressed great enthusiasm in the on-going growth of the local company, which creates many valuable job opportunities.

Meeting retail needs

SPAR Kaliningrad became a member of the SPAR family in 2013. Owner and Director, Oleg Ponamarev, has supported the rapid development of the retail business, which has opened a total of 17 EUROSPAR and SPAR Supermarkets to date.

The development of the supermarket business complements the existing well established bakery and has seen an expansion of the fresh offer available in SPAR and EUROSPAR Supermarkets. Learnings taken from other SPAR Partners in Russia and other countries have been adapted to meet the needs of local customers and tourists to the region.

Kaliningrad is one of the smallest and most European of all Russian regions, situated just 30km from Poland. This unique geographical positioning of Kaliningrad has resulted in shoppers having access to a variety of cuisines and a diverse product range.

Benefiting from global supplier expertise

With a ceiling height of 11 metres, the DC has capacity for 2,605 SKU’s with products stored on the Mecalux racking and moved by equipment sourced from BT Toyota. The 17 loading bays are fully utilised during peak periods, with 24 drivers using 16 trucks to collect and distribute the products from the facility to retailers.

The dignitaries in attendance at the opening ceremony, which was led by a local priest include: Mr Sergey Lutarevich, Minister of Agriculture for the Kaliningrad region; Mr Andrey Romanov, President of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs; Board Member of the Agro-industrial complex OVA, Mr Andrey But-Gusaim; Partner and Board Member of Semia group, Mr Andrey Shumilin; City Council member, Dmitry Danilov; Chairman of the Board of Evropeysky Bank, Kirill Samarev; Director of Russian Bread-Baking Plant, Alexander Kolodyajny; Principal Contractor, Leonid Stepanyuk; and General Director of DSV-transport, Oleg Urbanyuk.