Gruppo 3A, SPAR Italy Partner in Northwest Italy, has converted its entire store portfolio to match the SPAR Brand in just two months, having signed a partnership agreement in October 2019 with DESPAR Italia. Within just six weeks, Gruppo 3A rebranded 110 stores to three SPAR formats – EUROSPAR, DESPAR, or DESPAR Express with the decision of format having been based on store size, location, and shopping mission.

EUROSPAR Supermarkets are larger supermarkets with retail offers suited to family shopping needs. DESPAR Supermarkets are strategically and centrally located neighbourhood stores meeting daily shopping needs. DESPAR Express stores meet the demand for convenience also at high footfall and busy transit locations.

3A will continue to develop new SPAR stores. One of the most recent openings is a DESPAR Express store that was successfully opened near Turin, in Alpignano. Launched by an independent SPAR retailer on 17 March, the store complies with strict safety measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, which prompted a total lockdown of the country lasting several weeks in March and April.

Amongst others, the strength of the SPAR Own Brand ranges is especially appealing to them. SPAR’s world-class retail standards, combined with the sound reputation that Gruppo 3A already enjoys in that area are drawing interest from a large number of local entrepreneurs keen to align themselves with the SPAR Brand. Amongst others, the strength of the SPAR Own Brand ranges is especially appealing to them.

Gruppo 3A is pursuing expansion by growing the independent SPAR retailer network in the region through independent retailers.  Despite the restrictions that have come into force to prevent the spread of the coronavirus in Italy, DESPAR Northwest continues to operate and develop stores at a steady pace, always taking a proactive approach in the face of changing circumstances.

New SPAR stores in the Northwest of Italy have set up or increased their home delivery options, with orders being received by phone, e-mail or WhatsApp. Gruppo 3A on 11 May launched its new SPAR e-commerce platform for Northwest Italy, linked to five pilot stores: DESPAR Asti, EUROSPAR Trofarello, DESPAR San Damiano Asti, DESPAR Ventimiglia, and DESPAR Borghetto Santo Spirito. The  platform offers customers a click-and-collect service available just 4 hours after placing the order, as well as home delivery options.

DESPAR Northwest has also launched its website, the Despar Nordovest’ Facebook page, and Instagram account, firmly establishing the SPAR Brand online. Last February, DESPAR Northwest already launched its loyalty programme, ‘I AM DESPAR’, which already counts more than 50,000 loyalty card owners.

Source: DESPAR Northwest Italy

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About SPAR Italy

SPAR International first granted a licence for the operation of the SPAR Brand to SPAR Italy in 1959. The first store opened in the latter part of 1960 and with it, SPAR became the first partnership of retailers and wholesalers to operate in Italy. SPAR Italy, known locally as DESPAR Italia, licenses regional partners, all of whom work together to grow the brand across the country.

The DESPAR Partners operate stores under three formats: DESPAR Neighbourhood Supermarkets, EUROSPAR Supermarkets and INTERSPAR Hypermarkets. Many of the larger format stores are company-owned, reflecting the scale of investment required. While the majority of the company’s turnover is acquired through these larger format stores, the independently owned neighbourhood supermarkets remain a key part of the business.