A modernised SPAR Supermarket in Eke, Belgium, re-opened its doors on Thursday 25 August. In addition to a fresh look and feel, the store also boasts an extended retail area, enabling the retailers to offer an even wider selection of fresh produce. The revamped SPAR store is run by two experienced managers with a passion for their trade: Celine Van Laecke and Mathias Sarrazin. The retailers are particularly proud of their ‘best of local’ product range, including tasty organic cheese from a nearby dairy.

Family business

Celine and Mathias have been running the SPAR in Eke since January 2015. “My parents were the store managers of a SPAR Supermarket, and I knew early on that I also wanted to be a food retailer”, said Celine. After a career as a project manager in construction, her husband Mathias switched to retailing. “During the renovation phase, he took on the site coordination. Being the son of farmers, he also has a great affinity with local products, and knows their origin like no other.” Celine’s father delivers homemade, fresh dishes to the store every day, while Celine and Mathias’ daughter also works in the SPAR Supermarket on a regular basis. A family business in the truest sense of the word!

Sustainable features

The renovation has significantly reduced the store’s future environmental footprint. The new heat-recovery cooling system emits 90% less​ CO₂ than a traditional installation. Most of the store’s refrigerators are now fitted with doors and the renewed car park has been constructed to be water-permeable. The next step will be to cover the roof in solar panels which will generate green energy for the store.

Embedded in the local community

The store offers employment to 15 local team members who will be supported by flex team members and students from the neighbourhood.

Source: SPAR Retail Partners Colruyt Group

About SPAR Belgium

SPAR was launched in Belgium in 1947, representing the first step in the brand’s international development. SPAR in Belgium is operated through two businesses: Retail Partners, which is part of the Colruyt Group, and the family-owned retail business Lambrechts. The two companies now operate over 315 SPAR branded stores across the country. 

SPAR Retail Partners Colruyt Group, which operates both the SPAR and EUROSPAR formats, accounts for over 80% of total SPAR sales generated through a combination of company-owned and independently operated stores. SPAR Lambrechts focuses on serving customers with the SPAR and SPAR Express formats, supporting independent retailers.