SPAR Sri Lanka has got 2020 off to a great start with the opening of a SPAR Supermarket with a retail sales area of 750m2 along the main road of Malabe – the economic centre of the capital Colombo. The store’s 105 employees underwent ten weeks of training in the SPAR Supermarkets already open in the city to gain product knowledge and attain the high standards of customer service for which SPAR is known.

The store’s middle and upper income customers working and living in this area have welcomed the breadth and depth of products available in the SPAR Supermarket. The focus on fresh produce, the instore butchery, fish department, ready-to-eat meal solutions, bakery, and dry groceries have made the store popular with shoppers.

Chalkboard signage, loose produce displays, and a friendly tone of voice in the messaging create a market-style atmosphere in the fresh produce area. The instore Bean Tree coffee shop offers customers a comfortable and convenient spot to sit down and enjoy delicious food and drinks.

Additional employment opportunities for local producers are another benefit SPAR is bringing to Sri Lanka’s formal retail sector. SPAR Own Brand products are sourced locally, regionally, and internationally, and SPAR Sri Lanka is keen to expand the own brand assortment further.

The opening day was announced to the local neighbourhood in advance through a social media campaign, supplemented by local newspaper and radio advertising. Direct delivery of leaflets highlighting the store’s opening promotions, great service departments, and opening hours drew more customers to the opening.

Sustainability is high on the agenda for SPAR Sri Lanka. At the store, SPAR Sri Lanka offers alternatives to plastic carrier bags as well as reusable fresh produce bags, and the refrigeration units have been fitted with doors to cut down on electricity usage.

Source : SPAR Sri Lanka

SPAR International granted a licence to Ceylon Biscuits Limited (CBL Group) in 2017 to operate the SPAR Brand in Sri Lanka in a joint venture with the SPAR Group Ltd South Africa. CBL is a well-established organisation, founded in the 1960s and employing 5,000 people across diverse operations. It has strong roots in local communities and a commitment to enhancing food retailing and entrepreneurial opportunities in the market, making it an ideal partner for SPAR.