SPAR Russia has signed an exclusive licensing agreement with a new SPAR Partner to operate SPAR Supermarkets in the Southern Federal District of Astrakhan. The plan is to open 30 new SPAR stores in the region before the end of 2019.

The first SPAR Supermarket in Astrakhan was launched at the end of 2017 in the centre of the city, which is situated on the Volga River. The sales area is 290m² and the assortment totals over 3,500 SKUs. The store is unique not only in offering ready-made meals, but also in its product assortment. Here one can buy quality European products not available in other stores in the city. It also includes a cafe where customers can enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner, with free WiFi access and mobile charging stations.

Ahead of the launch, employees of the new SPAR Astrakhan Supermarket were given thorough training based on learnings from SPAR Russia Partners in other territories. They were taught about the technologies used by SPAR and given an overview and understanding of the product assortment and own brand ranges.

To promote the opening, a lot of outdoor advertising was used, including several billboards up to 1.5 km from the store. Flyers were distributed a few days before the opening, notifying customers of instore promotions and giveaways on opening day.

The new SPAR Partner already has an established trading business but wished to move into the retail trade and found that SPAR’s experience, product offering and service solutions were a perfect fit.

Commenting on SPAR Russia’s entry into this new region, Sergey Loktev, Managing Director of SPAR Russia said: “Our new SPAR Partner in Astrakhan is determined to expand the SPAR network. We have invested in the training of new specialists and the modernisation of logistics and trade processes. In the coming months, we expect the opening of several new supermarkets in Astrakhan.”

About SPAR Russia:

The first SPAR store in Russia was opened in August 2001, following the granting of the licence to operate the brand by SPAR International to a regional partner. A central office is based in Moscow which seeks partners for regional growth and expansion of the brand across the country.

There are now more than 400 SPAR stores across the country. The success enjoyed by SPAR in Russia is driven by the recruitment of new partners, investing in new stores and the continued investment in refurbishing existing stores. Expansion has resulted in greater buying power and improved knowledge sharing as the number of SPAR locations increases.