SPAR Zimbabwe had a busy year in 2019, with the opening of a total of five new stores in the country, incorporating a wider range of ready-to-eat solutions in several of the sites and increasing product range to suit local market needs across their retail estate.

The company owned stores expanded by two when an independent retailer took the decision to leave the retail sector, leaving residents concerned about their local neighbourhood supermarkets closing in two suburbs of the capital city, Harare. During the conversion to the company-owned format, and in line with the spirit of SPAR being ‘Better Together’ many of the store employees were retained, bringing the total of 87 jobs from just these two stores being assured.

Local customers have reacted positively to the increased range and convenience offering now available in these stores as well as to the investment into the modernisation of a further two corporate stores this year in other suburbs in the capital and the new store launched in the country’s second city of Bulawayo.

Focus on ready-to-eat solutions

The focus on increasing the ready-to-eat solutions has been welcomed with the inclusion of the new instore concept of quick service restaurants Chikka Chicken and Pick a Pizza to the latest store to open in Kwekwe in December, which provided 13 jobs for the local citizens, in addition to a great store to source their daily shopping needs. Learnings were taken from the quick-service concept first launched in a SPAR Express store in a neighbourhood of the capital city which rapidly became very popular with consumers.

Growing product range

With the aim of increasing the product range available in both its company-owned and independently operated stores, SPAR Zimbabwe also introduced the liquor store, TOPS at SPAR, to a neighbourhood store in the capital, Helensvale, and to the new store in Kwekwe.  And their online shopping platform continues to be widely used by both shoppers wishing to benefit from the home delivery option available in the capital city as well as those customers saving time by having orders ready for collection at their local SPAR.

Speaking on behalf of SPAR Zimbabwe retailers, General Manager Cypren Borerwe, said, “We are delighted to report positive expansion at SPAR Zimbabwe in 2019, despite the challenges that we are all facing in Zimbabwe at present. 2019 has been a difficult year, but we are as committed as ever to our SPAR family, our employees, and the communities in which we operate.”

Source : SPAR Zimbabwe

About SPAR Zimbabwe

In 1967, SPAR Zimbabwe (then Rhodesia) signed a licence agreement with SPAR International and became the 13^th country to join the SPAR worldwide organisation.

In late 2015, independent retailer, Darren Lanҫa, took over the licence to operate the SPAR Brand in this market after the previous licence holder made the decision to divest of this retail division.

In a challenging economic environment, SPAR Zimbabwe continues to grow its store network. It also remains actively involved in the local community, helping to make a difference through charitable SPAR sponsored events.