After taking a majority stake in foodservice business The Tosti Club in October 2020, SPAR Netherlands is rapidly integrating this popular convenience concept in SPAR city stores across the country. The latest SPAR retailer to embrace this shop-in-shop concept is located in the capital city Amsterdam, following on from other recent successful launches in the cities of Enschede and Zwolle.

The SPAR city store, near the popular Albert Cuyp market in Amsterdam, is owned by experienced food retailer Niels Jansen. Upon opening, he said that starting his own business has always been a goal.

“The extensive support from SPAR Netherlands in operational excellence matches my aims and use of my creativity”, he says.

Convenience offering

SPAR Netherlands CEO John van der Ent said, “We invest in both franchise restaurants and shop-in-shop solutions in SPAR stores, generating greater brand recognition. The Tosti Club has an international image which is complementary to our success.”

The convenience proposition of SPAR Netherlands continually responds to changing consumer behaviour. Customers seeking food-to-go solutions can enjoy a freshly made sandwich from The Tosti Club or a ready-to-eat salad together with a smoothie. The Tosti Club’s fuller offer includes hot beverages, hot snack items, and a range of sandwiches, all served with quality service, making the brand a perfect fit with SPAR.

Quality and Sustainability

Since launching five years ago, The Tosti Club has always prioritised the use of quality ingredients in their menu. Locally sourced specialities complement internationally recognised products, enabling easy adaption of the menu to appeal to more shoppers. This versatility is another example of the fit between the two brands as SPAR Netherlands adapts its instore offer to suit the customer profile of each location.

Foodservice is an area that often contributes to a greater level of food waste. The Tosti Club has partnered with local petting zoos to provide bread crusts suitable for animal consumption. One day-old bread is sold instore at a discount, further reducing food waste. In partnership with Too Good To Go, SPAR customers can purchase discounted, close-to-expiry products, further reducing food waste.

SPAR Netherlands has continued to grow throughout 2020 with a store network across a range of formats. Read more about SPAR Netherlands in SPAR International’s quarterly publication, Contact International.

Source: SPAR Netherlands

Read more news from SPAR Netherlands.

About SPAR Netherlands

The SPAR Brand was founded in the Netherlands in 1932 by the Dutch wholesaler Adriaan van Well and 16 independent retailers. It was established as a voluntary chain of grocers under the name DESPAR – an acronym of a slogan created by van Well to describe the organisation: Door Eendrachtig Samenwerken Profiteren Allen Regelmatig, which translates in English to All benefit from joint co-operation. By the end of the 1950s, SPAR was the largest food organisation in the Netherlands.

Today, SPAR Netherlands is a private company, owned by Sligro (45%), Sperwer (45%) and the SPAR independent retailers (10%). The Head Office and Distribution Centre (DC) are located in Waalwijk, from where support is provided for the more than 350 stores currently in operation.