As a responsible retailer, SPAR is committed to promoting active, healthy lifestyles and raising awareness on topics relevant to its local communities. Throughout September and October, SPAR operators in Italy have sponsored a host of running events to raise funds for charitable initiatives.

SPAR Italy supports WeFreeRun

SPAR Italy is sponsoring WeFreeRun, a charity run aimed at collecting funds for drug addiction prevention initiatives. The non-competitive event is organised by the SPAR country operator’s charity partner, San Patrignano, a large rehabilitation centre in the countryside. This year, the WeFreeRun will take a hybrid form, with some 1,000 participants running on the estate, while others will join at a place of their choice upon registering online.

About 30,000 youth and their teachers at schools in Italy will participate in a host of online activities linked to the running event on 27 October. The campaign seeks to raise awareness of addiction in an engaging manner. SPAR Italy is supporting the event for the third year in a row.

Source: DESPAR Italia

DESPAR sponsors Pink Run

On 19 September, more than 40 SPAR colleagues from Northeast Italy operator Aspiag Service took part in the Pink Run in the city of Padua. Aspiag Service also acts as the main event sponsor for the fifth year in a row.

Since its inception 12 years ago, the Pink Run has raised more than €346,000 for women’s charities and initiatives to support children in difficult situations.

This year’s two chosen charities are Women For Freedom, which protects underprivileged women and children from discrimination and exploitation, and Bracciodiferro RFE, which seeks to renovate Padua’s Children’s Hospice. Check out the official event video: http://ow.ly/5gCs50Gf0Gl

Source: SPAR regional operator Aspiag Service

Aspiag Service supports Udine Half Marathon

SPAR Northeast Italy operator Aspiag Service on 3 October sponsored the half marathon in Udine for 15 years in a row. The route of the ‘Maratonina’ highlights the city’s most beautiful squares and historic districts. The event is a major recurrence for the city and was held for the 21^st year in 2021.

DESPAR Northwest sponsors Run On the Hills

An independent SPAR retailer from San Damiano in northern Italy has supported Run on the Hills (Corrincollina). The yearly running event aims to promote sports and tourism in Langhe, known for its fine wines and hilly countryside. The SPAR retailer donated goods such as bottles of water to make the event more enjoyable for participants.

Source: SPAR Italy regional operator Gruppo 3A

Read more news about SPAR in Italy

About SPAR Italy

SPAR Italy, known locally as DESPAR Italia, was first granted the SPAR Brand’s licence in 1959. The first store opened in 1960. With it, SPAR became the first partnership of retailers and wholesalers to operate in the country. In addition, SPAR Italy licenses regional partners, all of whom work together to grow the brand across the country.

The DESPAR Partners operate stores under three formats: DESPAR Neighbourhood Supermarkets, EUROSPAR Supermarkets, and INTERSPAR Hypermarkets. Many of the larger format stores are company-owned, reflecting the scale of investment required. While the company achieves most of its turnover through these larger format stores, the independently owned neighbourhood supermarkets remain vital.