SPAR South Africa announces two appointments - Damon Harry as Divisional Managing Director for SPAR KwaZulu-Natal and Ed von Gericke as new National Retail Operations Executive.

Divisional Managing Director KZN

The company has announced the appointment of Damon Harry as Divisional Managing Director for SPAR KwaZulu-Natal. An exceptional leader with a relentless commitment to excellence and passion for nurturing high-performing teams, Harry has 20 years of experience in the retail industry, spanning both the food and textiles sectors.

Max Oliva, Chief Executive Officer of SPAR South Africa says, “Damon’s deep-rooted industry knowledge and history of running successful retail stores and corporate divisions, make him an invaluable addition to the SPAR family. This appointment reflects our ongoing commitment to enhancing our leadership team to position the company for continued success, underpinned by enthusiasm for the future and the innovation to drive us forward. We anticipate remarkable growth in KwaZulu-Natal under Damon’s guidance.”

Harry says: “I believe my outside perspective and operational retail experience will position SPAR well on our path to modernise the business. I look forward to driving impact in this next phase of growth.”

National Retail Operations Executive

The retailer also announced that Ed von Gericke will be the new National Retail Operations Executive for the SPAR Group Southern Africa. With his appointment, von Gericke is set to lead SPAR’s journey of growth and innovation, leveraging his leadership skills and retail expertise in the industry.

What distinguishes this appointment is the profound shift from accomplished retailer to corporate executive. Von Gericke, current owner of a KWIKSPAR store in Ballito Village, is selling his store to embrace this new role. Prior to this, he held the pivotal position of Managing Executive: Franchising for Famous Brands, where he looked after 2,200 retailers across Southern Africa, cementing his reputation as a retail visionary.

von Gericke says, “I am excited about the opportunity to contribute my retail experience to SPAR in Southern Africa. It’s an honour to be part of this esteemed organisation, and I look forward to leading our teams toward new heights of success.”

Chief Executive Officer of SPAR South Africa, Max Oliva, says, “Ed’s exceptional retail background and strategic leadership capabilities make him an invaluable addition to our team. We are thrilled to have him on board as we set our sights on a future that will not only redefine retail excellence but also raise the bar for innovation and leadership in the industry”.

Source: SPAR South Africa.

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About SPAR South Africa

SPAR South Africa was established in 1963. It operates four retail formats: SPAR neighbourhood, SPAR Express (operated in conjunction with Shell as a petrol forecourt store), KWIKSPAR (which focuses on convenience in city centres and high footfall locations), and SUPERSPAR Supermarkets (similar to EUROSPAR in offer). 

 SPAR South Africa grants sub-licences to independent retailers to operate stores under one of the four formats, with almost all the current store portfolio being independently owned.