SPAR International

SPAR International, based in Amsterdam, is responsible for the development and co-ordination of the global SPAR network supporting independent retailers in competing against international chains and multiples since its inception in 1932.


SPAR International oversees the world's largest retail chain with 12,680 stores in 33 countries on four continents. The global SPAR network employs more than a quarter of a million people worldwide. This unique retail chain allows wholesalers and retailers to work together in partnership internationally under the umbrella brand of SPAR to offer the best value, range and choice to its customers. SPAR worldwide serves more than eight million customers daily.


SPAR International helps drive the SPAR retailing ethos and plays an important role in the development of the SPAR brand. Those in the SPAR network benefit from a shared ‘direction’ and the ‘support’ of a truly global team of retail experts. SPAR International encourages individual SPAR countries to develop strategically and in response to their given market.


SPAR International keeps a keen eye and evaluates key retail trends and consumer behavior that could influence its future direction and oversees expansion plans into new markets. It is thanks to SPAR International that SPAR continues to grow as a hugely successful global brand.

SPAR’s Origins


Founded in The Netherlands in 1932, SPAR is the world's largest grocery chain. Although there is much speculation as to the meaning of the word SPAR with some mistakenly thinking it is derived from the Dutch word for ‘to save’ Besparen, SPAR is in fact an acronym of a Dutch sentence that explains where modern day ‘SPAR’ finds its foundations.


Back in 1932 Van Well called his new retail concept 'De SPAR', which is derived from the following Dutch phrase:


'Door Eendrachtig Samenwerken Profiteren Allen Regelmatig'


When directly translated means, ‘We all benefit from joint cooperation’, which remains true to this day in each SPAR country and in the network as a whole. To symbolize the strength of this organization, Adriaan Van Well used the fir tree as part of the ‘De SPAR’ logo and although the organization’s name has shortened to SPAR and the SPAR tree has somewhat developed into more of a contemporary fir tree the fundamentals still remain to make it an instantly recognizable brand worldwide.


The fast growth of the company continued over the years to follow with stores opening in South Africa, Japan, Eastern Europe, Argentina, Australia, China and most recently in Nigeria which is true sign of the significant growth in SPAR.

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New & Notable

SPAR kicks off Christmas with New €800,000 TV Ad Campaign

SPAR has travelled the length and breadth of Ireland – from the wilds of west Cork to the wilderness of Wicklow - in pursuit of Christmas trees to feature in its new TV commercial ‘SPAR Delivering Christmas’ which goes live on TV today, as part of a €800,000 Christmas campaign for the brand.

SPAR Express Junction 14 shortlisted for Top Award

SPAR Express Junction 14 has been shortlisted for the 2012 Insight NACS International Convenience Retailer of the Year Award. This is a prestigious award in international convenience retailing. To vote, simply click on the following link: http://www.globalcstorefocus.com/cgi-bin/newsletter.pl?edition=201208&this_page=4 Your support is greatly appreciated.

Social Media Expert Darren Wins Once-in-a-Lifetime Round the World Travel Reporter Job for SPAR

Personality and a Flair for Social Media Land Tipp Man an All Expenses Paid Trip Around The World With SPAR
Having searched the length and breadth of the country Darren Gayson from Cashel, Co. Tipperary has seen off competition from over 100 entrants to claim the title of SPAR’s Round the World Reporter. Darren will set sail on a 4 month, 12 country and 4 continent all expenses paid trip on July 30th and will report back on his experiences through Twitter, Facebook and with a regularly updated blog.

GALAXY OF STARS READY AND SET TO GO IN SPAR GREAT IRELAND RUN

The biggest ever cast of celebrities from stage and screen are set to take part in the SPAR Great Ireland Run in the Phoenix Park, Dublin on Sunday 15th April as they come together to support a range of charities.

SPAR Merrion Row Wins National Award

Store owner Thomas Ennis receives C-store award for second year running. SPAR on Merrion Row was announced a Gold Award Winner at the national ShelfLife C-Store Awards 2011 held recently. The Dublin store was one of 3 award winners covering store size classification from amongst hundreds of local convenience store entrants across Ireland.

RTÉ Television and SPAR announce the ultimate product placement with Fair City

SPAR store to open in Carrigstown this December
BWG Foods makes overall investment of €900,000 in three year sponsorship and marketing programme

Dublin City SPAR Store Wins National Q Mark Award

Derek Clarke’s SPAR in Castleforbes, Dublin city, was announced the overall national winner of the Level 1 Foundation Q Mark for Hygiene & Food Safety award at a ceremony in Dublin recently.

Excellence in Fresh Food retailing in a Convenience Store

SPAR Millenium Walkway in Dublin's city centre has been honoured at a prestigious industry award event, taking home the prize for Excellence in Fresh Food retailing in a Convenience Store at this year's Checkout Best in Fresh Awards