“Today, we are proud to open the first of at least 200 SPAR stores in Latvia which is our five-year goal. Much time and effort has been put into the development of the best SPAR neighbourhood store format to meet customer needs in Latvia. We have worked closely with different partners during this initial phase to bring customers locally sourced products as well as a range of SPAR Own Brand products. SPAR is part of the communities it serves, and we are pleased to announce that in this first store, a renowned local artist will be seen on the walls, promoting culture and local talent in a unique way,” says Andris Vilcmeiers, Chairman of the Board at SPAR Latvia.
The shop opened its doors on August 11 at 10.00 am. Andris Vilcmeiers, Chairman of the Board at SPAR Latvia, Artūrs Gabaliņš, Member of the Board at Sia Skarleta, and Māris Zusts, Chairman of the Saldus Municipality Council took part in the formal opening. The first one hundred customers will be rewarded with welcome gifts from SPAR Latvia.
The first SPAR Supermarket is located in the town of Saldus, 120km west of the capital city of Riga. The store is 720m2 in size and includes an instore bakery as well as grocery and fresh products, and is positioned as a neighbourhood store which will meet the daily shopping needs of customers living within the community of Saldus.
The main benefits for customers visiting SPAR Latvia’s network of stores will be the pleasant shopping environment, high-quality service, fresh produce, and competitive offers. SPAR Latvia is planning a multi-format retail strategy with all stores offering goods sourced from the most popular Baltic manufacturers and brands, as well as SPAR Own Brand products from all main product groups. Shelves of the shops in Latvia will contain SPAR Own Brand products from the retailer’s value line as well as premium, organic, and eco product lines. SPAR Latvia plans to provide local producers with an opportunity to offer their products at SPAR stores and assist them in increasing the accessibility of their products, as well as be the first retailer to offer innovations from the local producers at their shops.
In celebration of the local community, Saldus SPAR, in partnership with the Jānis Rozentāls Saldus History and Art Museum, will dedicate space within the store to artworks of Jānis Rozentāls, the renowned Latvian impressionist artist and native of Saldus.
Artūrs Gabaliņš, Member of the Board at Sia Skarleta says, “Being the first is both an honour and a challenge. We have put much work into fulfilling this role honourably and creating a store which offers a valuable shopping experience for the customers and entices them to return. We are especially glad that we have not only been successful in opening our first shop, but also in creating a unique environment with the art wall by Jānis Rozentāls. The bakery area ensures our customers will be able to purchase freshly baked goods and delicious coffee.”
Source: SPAR Latvia
About SPAR Latvia
SPAR International in 2021 also granted a licence to operate the brand in Latvia to S&P Logistics, which founded SPAR Latvia with the vision of uniting independent retail groups to collaborate in the face of growing international discount competition. SPAR in Latvia will offer consumers a high-quality, modern, and relevant food shopping experience. The first SPAR stores in Latvia will open in 2022, with store network development supported by SPAR International.
