SPAR Netherlands is continuing to integrate the popular The Tosti Club concept in its growing network of SPAR city stores. The shop-in-shop concept widens the stores’ foodservice offering while boosting customers’ hospitality experience. SPAR Netherlands independent retailer network continues to grow, supported by a variety of retail solutions.

Foodservice expansion

The Tosti Club, a premium grilled sandwich chain, is one of the fastest-growing casual food concepts in the Netherlands. SPAR Netherlands acquired a majority stake in The Tosti Club in November 2020, with the concept rapidly rolling out in SPAR stores around the country ever since.

According to SPAR Netherlands CEO John van der Ent, the acquisition was a logical step to speed up the SPAR operator’s foodservice business and further enhance its convenience offering.

“The Tosti Club meals are of high quality, and they are also a typical Dutch product. The sandwiches may well become one of our signature products”, John van der Ent has said.

Branching out

On 23 July, SPAR retailer Joost Derks and his daughter Kim opened a new SPAR store at Nijmegen’s popular Plein 1944, the city’s main square. The latest SPAR city store was converted from a The Tosti Club branch. It now houses a grocery store assortment plus The Tosti Club offering, providing customers with more choice but the same warmth and customer-centric approach.

In Otterlo, SPAR retailers Johan and Saron van Leijenhorst introduced The Tosti Club in their store through the inclusion of the shop-in-shop offer. Their signature premium grilled sandwiches have proven a hit with customers. “For the sandwiches at our SPAR store in Otterlo, customers are more than happy to cycle a few blocks”, says Johan.

Strong support for SPAR retailers

SPAR Netherlands provides its independent retailers with a variety of retail solutions within its multi-format strategy.

Recent openings also include a new SPAR city store in The Hague in a central district populated by young families and single households. The store offers self-checkouts, an instore bakery, fresh food and dry groceries, as well as The Tosti Club foodservice module. This store is run by 35-year-old independent retailer Bogdan Scântee, who has a passion for customer service and recently managed a SPAR university store in Delft. SPAR Netherlands actively supported his dream of starting a new business.

“We want to offer our customers high-quality products in a customer-friendly environment. SPAR Netherlands’ goals of making life easy for customers, providing personal service, friendliness, and commitment certainly apply in our store”, Bogdan Scântee says.

Retailer investment

Independent retailers Cor and Lydia Beeke invested in modernising their SPAR Supermarket in Middelburg to meet evolving customer demands. By increasing the fresh selection on offer and introducing ready meals, the refurbishment has improved the shopper experience at this store, which was first opened almost ten years ago.

Convenience retailing is familiar also to Dinand Kraaij, independent SPAR retailer in Giessen-Rijkswijk. On 8 July, he was delighted to welcome customers to a new SPAR Supermarket in the village. Not only has the store been relocated, but the assortment has been modernised to include a wide foodservice offer.

Also on 8 July, the refurbished SPAR Supermarket in Milsbeek was reopened after  extending the food service area. Customers now benefit from an expanded selection of prepared dishes which can be enjoyed instore or taken away. Tasty salads, sandwiches, and freshly prepared pizzas have been added to the range.

Source: SPAR Netherlands

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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.  The Head Office and Distribution Centre (DC) are located in Waalwijk, from where support is provided for the almost 450 stores in operation.