SPAR Namibia
A Brand Built on Trust SPAR Namibia has established a reputation for quality and affordability in the country thanks to its adherence to values of family, passion and entrepreneurship Writer: Tom Wadlow | Project Manager: Josh Hyland Few countries rely on the fortunes of South Africa’s economy as much as Namibia. Lying northwest of its more developed and densely populated neighbour, the nation’s little over 2.5 million population has borne the brunt of a recent economic downturn. However, the green shoots of recovery are tentatively emerging, and the long-term prospects for the country’s role in the development of western Sub-Saharan Africa is cause for optimism among business leaders. “We joke here that whenever South Africa sneezes, Nambia gets the flu,” quips Eugene van Wyngaard, Regional Manager for Nambia at international FMCG retail brand SPAR. “However, I am of the view that our economy is at the edge of a very significant turning point. It will take a little time to get out of the current situation, not helped by recent droughts, but there is definitely light at the end of the tunnel.” A SPAR veteran of 19 years, van Wyngaard started out in Cape Town as a store manager, working his way up the ranks to manage 18 local outlets before moving to Namibia in 2010 to head up operations which have been in the country since 2004. “The journey has been fantastic,” he says. “It was a bigger position than perhaps I initially thought it would be, but there are many facets that come with the territory…
SPAR Lowveld Distribution
Keeping an Eye on What’s in StoreWriter: Matthew StaffProject Manager: Callum Philp SPAR Lowveld Distribution has enjoyed yet another 12 months of successful progression and expansion as it once again leveraged the wider SPAR brand’s reputation to maintain its Southern African momentum.Overseeing logistics services for 29 SPAR stores, as well as 18 smaller SUPERSPARS, 27 Tops Liquor stores, 11 Savemore outlets and two pharmacies in the region in 2014, the Company’s continuous improvement strategy comprised the ambition to introduce an additional eight new stores by the end of 2015; a drive which is well on the way to completion across South Africa, Swaziland and Mozambique.As one of six main distributors for SPAR South Africa, the Lowveld operation may be the smallest, but still carries the weight of a brand name which is among one of the most prestigious in the retail sector in the wider region. As a consequence, the necessity to continually develop and seek new value propositions for its clients is of paramount importance.Subsequently, the operation comprises not only the expected logistics services, but also a full marketing function, advertising and promotional activities, retail operations, management consultancy and store development assistance.The result is an all-encompassing portfolio of services to not only aid the main SPAR brand, but also a range of independent small, medium and large retailers in a position to either tackle the convenience markets or compete with the major chains, respectively.Learning curveOf course, the core business aims of SPAR Lowveld Distribution revolve around product procurement, warehousing and distribution services, but the focus is very much…
Spar Zimbabwe
Customer Satisfaction Drives Spar PassionWriter: Matthew StaffProject Manager: Callum PhilpWith more than 12,000 stores around the globe, the SPAR name is one of the most recognisable in the retail world; a cachet that Zimbabwe’s arm is leveraging to full effect in becoming the most sough-after store in the country.With a presence across four continents and more than 35 countries, the reputation and notoriety are firmly in place in establishing a concerted influence on individual markets, but this isn’t to say that the Group doesn’t diversify to remain relevant in each operating country.It has been an adherence to local consumer trends, market conditions and indigenous produce which has endeared SPAR to the Zimbabwean public since the mid-1960s.Expanding and developing amid the wider country’s own progression, SPAR’s core attributes have really come into their own in recent years, with industry uptake and customer demand much more conducive to the Company’s primary vision; “To be the most exciting, innovative and sought-after retail brand in Zimbabwe”.Continuous improvementOperating more than 100 stores 12 months ago across its SPAR, SPAR Express and SaveMor platforms, the subsequent year has comprised a three-pronged strategy, in line with its main continuous improvement ethos, to introduce more stores, diversify its products and to introduce new ideas and technologies to the industry at large.The former is a continuation of an expansion that has taken place since SPAR’s inception in the country, as the Company stated last year: “At SPAR we are committed to developing the SPAR business by offering stores with modern layouts and the promise of…
Spar Distribution
The Beating Heart of Spar SPAR Distribution Lowveld Oversee Logistic services to twenty nine SPAR stores, eighteen SUPERSPAR'S, twenty seven Tops Liquor stores, eleven Savemor Stores, and two pharmacies in the Lowveld region Writer Matt Bone Project Manager Callum Philp SPAR Lowveld is one of the six main distribution centres for SPAR South Africa, one of the biggest supermarket chains in Southern Africa. SPAR Lowveld offers a full range of services to: 29 SPAR stores, 18 SUPERSPAR'S, 27 Tops liquor stores, 11 Savemor stores, and 2 pharmacies in South Africa's Lowveld region, ranging from Komati in the east of the region, to Carolina in the west, and Phalaborwa in the north, as well as in Swaziland and Mozambique. These services include a full marketing function (buying of grocery items at competitive prices which are then passed on to the stores themselves), advertising and promotions, retail operations management advice (include in-depth financial advice and services), store development assistance and logistical services. The objective of SPAR Lowveld is to put independent small, medium and large retailers in a position to compete with the major chains, as well as dominate the convenience markets. Whilst their core businesses are is product procurement, warehousing and distribution services, they exist to service independent retailers operating under one of the SPAR banners. Their focus is the development and support of these independent retailers to be the best operators in the markets they serve in terms of retail offering, exceptional customer service, and meaningful community involvement. Rob De Vos, Divisional Managing Director for SPAR…
Spar Zimbabwe
Sparring with the best of them SPAR are committed to developing the SPAR business by offering stores with modern layouts alongside the promise of world-class shopping Writer Emily Jarvis Project Manager Callum Philp SPAR Zimbabwe is committed to providing a service that will exceed the needs of consumers, with a particular focus on retail innovation and a strong passion for food. The franchise aim their consumer offerings at all levels of society, by providing retail formats that suit particular areas within Zimbabwe, with roll outs of SPAR Supermarkets, SPAR Express stores and, in the medium term, SPAR Liquor outlets. For those of you who don't know, SPAR is a voluntary trading organisation, where all independent retailers work together with their distribution centres to build scale, buying power and the SPAR brand for mutual benefit. "In Zimbabwe, we operate within 100 retail outlets using the SPAR, SPAR Express and SaveMor formats. During the course of 2012 and 2013 our growth has come from ongoing upgrades of SPAR stores, the roll out of the TOPS bottle store formats and the increase of new SPAR stores." Globally, SPAR serves 11 million customers a day out of around 13,000 supermarkets in various formats. SPAR is the world's largest supermarket chain by store numbers. "The Four Just Men" The story of SPAR in the early years stems from Adriaan Van Well, a Dutch wholesaler with vision. He was inspired by a simple yet powerful philosophy that independent wholesalers and retailers can achieve more by working together rather than working alone. It…
