The Dutch brand SPAR is the world’s largest voluntary retail chain with over 12,000 stores in 40 countries worldwide and meets the needs of over 13 million consumers every day. In India, SPAR Hypermarkets operates 20 stores across nine states. Progressive Grocer takes a look at how the retailer remains receptive to introducing new products across categories and the various innovations it has put in place to keep abreast of the fast-changing consumer buying trends.
SPAR India is part of the Landmark Group, a multinational conglomerate involved in retailing of apparel, footwear, consumer electronics, cosmetics & beauty products, home improvement and baby products. The Dutch brand SPAR is the world’s largest voluntary retail chain with over 12,000 stores in 40 countries worldwide and meets the needs of over 13 million consumers every day. In India, SPAR Hypermarkets came about as a license agreement between the Dubai-based Landmark Group’s Max Hypermarkets India Pvt. Ltd. and SPAR International. SPAR is the world’s largest independent food retail chain, which operates on the principle of a ‘Cooperative of Independent Retailers and Wholesalers.’
In India, SPAR Hypermarkets operates over one million square feet area across 20 stores in nine cities, including Bengaluru, Mangalore, Coimbatore, Hyderabad, Delhi, Ghaziabad, Gurgaon, Chennai and Pune. The average store size is 40,000 sq.ft. and, between its 20 stores, SPAR serves 30 million customers annually. The retail chain crossed revenues of Rs. 1,000 crore last year and has been clocking double digit growth of late.
Hypermarket with a distinct positioning
SPAR’s mission has always been to be a hypermarket that is known for value and differentiation. “Food, grocery and consumables have a higher share and drive our frequency while general merchandise, home and apparel play a different role. We are regularly reviewing all our categories to look for new and fun areas to expand into, innovative ideas to recreate what we already have and, of course, maintain high standards in what does well,” says Solai Shakthivel, Sr. Vice President - Foods Business at SPAR India. Health & Wellness, Convenience Lifestyle, Food Theatre, My Home, Millennial and Fresh are all the areas that the retailer is looking into to bring differentiation within.
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