SPAR Slovenia Managing Director Igor Mervič will at the end of this year be moving into a new role after 28 years at the helm. His successor, David Kovačič, will take on this position from 1 January 2021. With over 15 years of international experience in trading and management consulting, David Kovačič is also well known to the team, following an 18-month hand-over period.

Building on the company’s success, David Kovačič will retain innovation, social responsibility and growth as the core goals for the business. Working together with Jure Mervič, SPAR Slovenia Finance & Economic Director, the company’s vision will be maintained.

Igor Mervič will take on a new role of Board Member of SPAR Slovenia and Advisor to the SPAR Austria group in Croatia, Hungary, Northern Italy, and Austria. Having joined SPAR Slovenia in 1992, when the company had four stores, he leaves his role with a strong, successful business operating 106 SPAR and INTERSPAR stores, a company bakery, and a distribution centre.

Under his leadership, the brand has grown to be one of the most renowned retailers in Slovenia and the first choice of local customers, according to a 2019 online survey by market researcher Mediana. An important milestone in the company’s 28-year vision is the Start It Up Slovenia initiative, which offers Slovenian entrepreneurs’ access to the market by selling their products in SPAR stores nationwide.