SPAR regional operator Aspiag Service has opened a new 18,000m2 Distribution Centre (DC) in Emilia-Romagna, Italy. The centrally located warehouse has a covered area of about 18,600m2, a 25,500-pallet capacity, and 1,700m2 office space across three floors. More than 50 people already work at the new centre, which was realised with a €33 million investment.

Alessandro Urban, Aspiag Service Regional Director for Emilia-Romagna, said: “This DC is a major stepping stone for expanding our local footprint. We have strong plans in place to quickly increase our market share in this area, further growing our SPAR retail presence from the current 25 stores to over 40 over the next four years.”

“After opening two company-owned EUROSPAR stores, in Reggio Emilia and Lugo di Romagna, we recently celebrated another new hypermarket opening, an INTERSPAR store in Imola. With this store, we aim to exceed the €400 million retail sales threshold by 2025”, he added.

The Emilia-Romagna region has 4.5 million inhabitants.

New Regional Logistics Hub

SPAR Austria Board member Paul Klotz explained, “Our goal is to continue being successful in Emilia-Romagna through consistent growth and expansion. Our new INTERSPAR Hypermarket in Imola marks a further leap towards maintaining our growth momentum. Since such developments require a suitable basis, we have invested €33 million in building our new regional headquarters in Castel San Pietro.”

“We have strong business and community ties with Emilia-Romagna. We shall continue to support local sourcing by increasingly bringing this region’s excellent foods to our shelves”, he added.

The new DC improves the handling efficiency of fresh and dry products from local suppliers. “By shortening travel distances for our lorries between our distribution centres and retail stores, we also effectively cut CO₂ emissions”, a spokesperson explains.

Aspiag store network covers northeast Italy, Hungary, Slovenia, and Croatia. Aspiag Service is regional operator in Italy for three Northeastern regions (often referred to as ‘Triveneto’), Emilia-Romagna and Lombardy.

Facts and figures

The new DESPAR logistics hub in Castel San Pietro Terme currently serves 25 company-owned SPAR stores and 61 independently owned SPAR stores, for a total of 86 SPAR stores in the region.

18,000m2 Distribution Centre (D.C.)

Covered area of about 18,600m²

25,500 pallet capacity

1,700m² of office space on three floors. In total, more than 50 SPAR team members already work at the new centre.

€33 million invested in this DC.

Source: Maiora

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About SPAR Italy

SPAR Italy, known locally as DESPAR Italia, was first granted the SPAR Brand’s licence in 1959. The first store opened in 1960. With it, SPAR became the first partnership of retailers and wholesalers to operate in the country. In addition, SPAR Italy 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 company achieves most of its turnover through these larger format stores, the independently owned neighbourhood supermarkets remain vital.