SPAR retailers in South Africa affected by recent civil unrest and looting have “expressed a firm commitment to start again”, said SPAR South Africa Group CEO Brett Botten in an update.

The Group’s update issued on the current state of its business as of 22 July, noted the extent of the impact on its operations in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and parts of Gauteng. A total of 184 SPAR South Africa Group stores were impacted. At that time, 38 of the looted stores had been cleaned, restocked and reopened, while 112 stores remain closed as repair and clean-up operations continue. This represents less than 5% of the store network across Southern Africa.

Financial support for retailers

SPAR South Africa announced a short-term bridging finance scheme to support retailers affected by the unrest. The company also said that at wholesale level, it is ‘adequately covered’ from an insurance perspective, and is engaging with its retailers to provide necessary assistance with their insurance claims.

“Despite the loss of business caused by the recent civil unrest,  SPAR retailers have expressed a firm commitment to start again”, Brett Botten said. “This speaks to the resilience and entrepreneurial spirit of SPAR’s retailers, who are intensely aware of the role they play within their communities.”

“We are understandably concerned about the impact on our communities and our country and for this reason, SPAR has a resolute desire to rebuild and help lessen the extent of the damage and devastation caused within our communities.”

Aid initiatives

SPAR South Africa has launched a number of aid initiatives and will continue to support local communities and existing organisations that rely on their assistance.

In just one example, SPAR will provide 10,000 frontline healthcare workers in Gauteng Province with R50 #Takeabreak vouchers to use for a 10-minute break with a cup of coffee, chocolate, or a piece of cake from any of its stores. The division in Gauteng has reached out to major private hospital groups, government hospitals, and emergency services in Gauteng that would receive vouchers.

“The impact of the pandemic is nowhere felt more than among the frontline workers. Frontline workers are under immense pressure working longer hours and double shifts without a break”, a company spokesperson said.

Source: SPAR South Africa

Read more about SPAR in South Africa

About SPAR South Africa

SPAR South Africa was established in 1963 and operates four retail formats: SPAR, 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 (similar to EUROSPAR in offer).

The SPAR Group Ltd South Africa grants sub-licences to independent retailers to operate stores under one of the four formats. Almost all the current store portfolio is independently owned.