Awards and prizes Archives - SPAR International

SPAR Hungary programme supporting local small-scale producers receives Effie Award

Penny van der Kaars — Fri, 09 Feb 2024 08:00:57 +0000

SPAR Hungary runs a programme to support small-scale producers under the theme Regional Treasures which was granted an Effie Award Hungary 2023.

Regional Treasures programme awarded an Effie

SPAR Hungary delighted to be recognised at the Effie Awards Hungary 2023. Their supporting regional small producers: Regional Treasures programme received a Bronze Effie in the category Social Campaigns – CSR – Brands, Companies / Doing Good. SPAR Hungary’s Regional Treasures initiative offers local producers in the local agricultural sector an opportunity to sell through the retail chain. This provides customers with access to high-quality Hungarian food produced in their regions.

The Effie is a unique professional recognition that awards successful and effective marketing communication. Winning any level of the Effie has become a global symbol of achievement. Today, the competition is held in more than 50 countries around the world, with Hungary joining in 2002.

The DoingGood – CSR Award, given for the fourth time, showcases companies’ initiatives around corporate social responsibility. The SPAR Regional Treasures programme received the ‘special mention’ acclaim.

“For SPAR Hungary, a major player in the retail trade sector, feedback from our customers is very important, as are the acclaims we receive in various professional competitions. I am delighted to announce that our regional treasures initiative has been recognised with an Effie Award,” said Márk Maczelka, head of communications at SPAR Hungary.

Regional Treasures programme

SPAR Hungary fosters local sourcing by offering high-quality products sourced from local family enterprises. This results in shorter supply chains and generates fewer environmental pressures from transportation. Feedback from the past two years showed that consumers like these unique, typically small-batch, food products. Items featuring the ‘red apple’ logo are easily recognised by customers. The Regional Treasures programme has led to over 400 products from 86 local suppliers being available in stores nationwide.

Source: SPAR Hungary

About SPAR Hungary

The first SPAR Supermarket opened in Hungary in 1992, following the acquisition by ASPIAG (Austria SPAR International AG) of a majority stake in General Kereskedelmi Rt. SPAR Hungary is one of the country’s largest employers, with a network of company-owned and independently run stores operating nationwide.

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SPAR Italy regional partner Maiora certified as Top Employer

Magda Zwang — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 07:30:40 +0000

Maiora, the DESPAR Italia partner for Central and Southern Italy, was granted the Top Employer Certification by the Top Employers Institute.

With over 530 shops and 2,400 employees, the certification underscores Maiora’s excellence in HR strategies, focusing on employee development, well-being, and fostering a positive work environment.

The Top Employers Institute issue the Top Employer Certification following in-depth analysis of the conditions of a company’s working standards. The research looks at different key areas, ranging from corporate governance, organisation and development, talent acquisition, engagement, and alignment with the company’s mission and values.

This prestigious certificate officially recognises Maiora’s commitment to international standards in vital HR areas and excellent HR policies. Additionally, Maiora became the first large-scale retail organisation to receive the Equal Salary certification, showcasing Maiora’s pioneering initiatives in ensuring equal pay and opportunities.

Pippo Cannillo, president and CEO of DESPAR Centro-Sud, said that the certification is a tangible demonstration of the company’s dedication to employees.

Source: DESPAR Italia

About SPAR Italy

SPAR Italy, known locally as DESPAR Italia, was first granted the SPAR Brand’s license in 1959. The first store opened in 1960. With it, SPAR became the first partnership of retailers and wholesalers to operate in the country. In addition, SPAR Italy licenses regional partners, all of whom work together to grow the brand across the country.

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SPAR Hungary recognises its people and own brand labels score well

Magda Zwang — Fri, 19 Jan 2024 07:27:43 +0000

SPAR Hungary recognises two people in the retail network for their dedicated work on the European Retail Day last December. The company was further delighted when several products in its own label range came in tops in a local test platform.

SPAR colleagues recognised

Employees in retail often go unnoticed despite their essential role in maintaining smooth day-to-day operations. The recent recognition of two SPAR colleagues on European Retail Day highlighted the importance of our profession. Magdolna Bíróné Kósa, deputy manager of the INTERSPAR Hypermarket in Székesfehérvár, and Sándor Polyák, a respected independent retailer, were both honoured for their contributions in the company’s store network.

Vegan sandwich topping is a category winner

SPAR’s veggie vegan sandwich toppings won in the ‘free from’ vegan sandwich category in Store Insider magazine’s competition. These toppings, available in prune, chive, and green pepper, are part of SPAR Hungary’s commitment to expanding its convenient and sustainable product range. The 100-gram ‘SPAR veggie’ packs are a tasty meat alternative. SPAR is continually reviewing and increasing the range of options available for shoppers seeking vegan choices.

SPAR products excel in tests

SPAR excelled in recent product tests by ‘www.maradokapenzemnel.blog.hu,’ a prominent Hungarian test website. SPAR’s 1-litre direct pressed orange juice claimed the top spot in the evaluation of 100% orange juices while SPAR Natur*pur Bio orange juice also ranked highly. In the cherry preserve category, both SPAR’s cherry preserve and the S-Budget cherry preserve were finalists, securing second place overall.

Source: SPAR Hungary

About SPAR Hungary

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SPAR South Africa butchery wins in 2023/2024 Ask Afrika Orange Index®

Penny van der Kaars — Fri, 12 Jan 2024 11:55:50 +0000

SPAR South Africa's butchery section achieves first place in the Butcheries Category of the 2023/2024 Ask Afrika (Pty) Ltd Orange Index®. This prestigious accolade highlights SPAR South Africa’s unwavering dedication to delivering exceptional customer satisfaction and celebrating excellence in the South African butchery industry.

The Ask Afrika Orange Index® is the most comprehensive and widely recognised benchmark for service excellence in the country. It encompasses an array of key components, including client satisfaction, emotional contentment, loyalty, and effective problem resolution.

This award serves as a testament and token of appreciation from the public, affirming SPAR’s commitment as a community-oriented retail group. SPAR South Africa is deeply honoured to receive this award, and thanks their dedicated team and valued customers for their unwavering support and trust.

Having tracked customer experiences, evolving trends, and evolving expectations since 2001, this index spotlights companies exhibiting remarkable performance across various client experience metrics, from service quality to problem-solving. It provides a valuable yardstick against which organisations can gauge their own progress.

The index provides predictive insights into the kinds of experience each company’s audience wants. The index measured just seven industries and 26 companies in 2001. In 2023, it benchmarked 232 brands in 32 industries across 154 variables, 21 channels and 31 core metrics. A total of 48,000 customers completed the interview detailing their actual service experience with a brand.

Source: SPAR South Africa

About SPAR South Africa

SPAR South Africa was established in 1963. It operates four retail formats: SPAR neighbourhood, SPAR Express (operated in conjunction with Shell as a petrol forecourt store), KWIKSPAR (which focuses on convenience in city centres and high footfall locations), and SUPERSPAR Supermarkets (similar to EUROSPAR in offer).

 SPAR South Africa grants sub-licences to independent retailers to operate stores under one of the four formats, with almost all the current store portfolio being independently owned.

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SPAR Slovenia phase out single-use F&V plastic bags and receive FDI Award Slovenia

Penny van der Kaars — Tue, 09 Jan 2024 08:03:20 +0000

Continuing its focus on sustainable operations, SPAR Slovenia will be the first retailer in the country to completely phase out single-use plastic bags in the fruit and vegetable department. Instead, biodegradable bags or reusable SPAR mesh bags will be available from this year. SPAR Slovenia received the FDI Award Slovenia 2023 in the category of significant influence on the Slovenian economy.

SPAR is the first retailer in Slovenia to completely withdraw single-use plastic bags from the fruit and vegetable department. This switch will save as much as 105 tons of plastic annually.

“Good bags” instead of plastic ones

According to Eurostat, the European research agency, “out of all light plastic bags used per capita in Slovenia in 2021, the majority were very light plastic bags”. The retailer’s stores will replace plastic bags in the F&V section with biodegradable bags and reusable SPAR mesh bags this year.

The company has introduced a special SPAR shopping bag with a pocket. This was designed with both the customer and sustainability in mind, featuring a pocket for storing mesh bags.

As a recipient of the Green Star sustainability certificate, SPAR Slovenia belongs to the category of Green Leaders. These are businesses having the principles of sustainability firmly embedded in their business strategy and models.

SPAR Slovenia recognised

SPAR Slovenia received the FDI Award Slovenia 2023, which has been awarded since 2006 by the Ministry of Economy, Tourism and Sport and the Public Agency SPIRIT. The company received the award in the category of significant influence on the Slovenian economy.

According to the commission, SPAR Slovenia has had a significant impact on the Slovenian economy since 1991, including through the presentation of innovative approaches to customers. Its role is also crucial in supporting the Slovenian community, as it is a sponsor of charitable organisations and events, while at the same time supporting local farmers and suppliers, which contributes to the promotion of the domestic economy.

“Receiving the FDI Award Slovenia for the company is an exceptional recognition and confirmation of continuous efforts for quality offer, innovation and sustainable business,” says David Kovačič, chief executive officer of SPAR Slovenia. “We see this award as a confirmation of successful cooperation with the Slovenian community. It is an incentive for the further development and growth of the SPAR company in Slovenia,” he adds.

Source: SPAR Slovenia

About SPAR Slovenia

SPAR Slovenia, operated by ASPIAG (Austria SPAR International AG), was granted a licence by SPAR International to operate under the brand in 1991. ASPIAG is a subsidiary of SPAR Austria AG. SPAR has become a key employer in the country, both through its corporate businesses as well as through licenses being granted to independent retailers to expand the brand further.

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SPAR Austria wins the “Future of European Commerce” Award

peterm — Wed, 03 Jan 2024 07:00:57 +0000

With its innovative "Fruit and vegetables 3 days fresher" campaign, SPAR Austria won the "Future of European Commerce" Award in the Digitalisation category, presented by EuroCommerce for the first time.

With a series of awards, EuroCommerce honours companies and associations throughout Europe for innovative projects. In the digitalisation category, SPAR Austria impressed the jury with the project “Fruit and vegetables 3 days fresher”.

F&V 3 days fresher

The project to reduce the time from farm to store was driven by the IT unit of SPAR Austria. The initiative uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to analyse data on sales volumes, weather conditions, special offers, marketing campaigns, seasonality and numerous other factors, enabling a precise prediction of the optimal quantity of fruit and vegetables per store.

The result of the project is a prediction accuracy of over 90 percent. All of this means that exactly the required quantity is available at the right time in the right store, thus further reducing food waste.

Innovation in Austria

The award-winning project, which attracted attention internationally, was divided into six areas:

Forecasting sales volumes by using artificial intelligence to further reduce food spoilage.
Better planning through issuing tenders for the fruit and vegetable assortment, as well as modernising planning software for the weekly assortment.
More efficient and faster procurement through a web EDI portal specially tailored to the needs of suppliers. This simplifies the ordering process, which also provides a connection enabling smaller, regional partners to get involved.
Optimisation of the ordering process at wholesale through the design of a completely new interface in SAP for wholesale ordering for use by the respective SPAR logistics centres.
Optimal delivery by standardising order dates and a maximum time for the delivery of the order. Additionally, SPAR Austria implemented numerous process improvement measures at the individual SPAR stores and logistics centres.
Improvement of quality assurance through improving and digitising the approval of fruit and vegetable article specifications.

Tackling food waste

This project is just one of many measures developed by SPAR Austria to combat food waste in retail. Today, only about 1% of the food on offer in SPAR stores nationwide is not sold.

Source: SPAR Austria

About SPAR Austria

The origins of SPAR in Austria date back to 1954, but the current SPAR AG was created in 1970 when the original founding families joined other regional wholesalers to form SPAR Austria AG – a 100% privately owned Austrian company. With licences granted by SPAR International, ASPIAG (Austria SPAR International AG) has developed the brand in Slovenia, Hungary, Croatia, and Northern Italy.

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SPAR Zimbabwe recognised for long-standing monthly community clean-ups

peterm — Mon, 18 Dec 2023 07:30:59 +0000

SPAR Zimbabwe proudly received an environmental award in recognition of their long-lasting monthly community clean-ups initiative

SPAR Zimbabwe is a retailer with roots embedded in the local community, running several sustainable initiatives in local communities. One particular initiative comes in the form of monthly clean-ups in local communities on the first Friday of every month. At the end of each clean-up, the number of bags filled are counted and the volume is tracked throughout the year. Aligning with SPAR Zimbabwe’s responsible retailing plans, the litter collected is separated into green waste for recycling and other waste with separate bags. In 2023, SPAR Zimbabwe reported a total of 5,009 bags of litter collected by volunteers.

Growth of sustainable initiatives

SPAR Zimbabwe has been growing the scale of their community clean-ups since 2018. SPAR works closely with local companies to provide volunteers with water and cleaning bags. The two-hour timeslot for the clean-up aligns with nearby schools’ schedule. This allows pupils to also help out which raises their awareness of sustainability issues. The retailer hopes that more companies will support this annual programme into the future.

Environmental champion

SPAR Zimbabwe was recently awarded Environmental Champion of the year Award from ESG Network Zimbabwe, recognising the efforts of SPAR in the area of sustainability. The Environmental Management Agency (EMA), which nominated SPAR for the award, highlighted efforts of SPAR to minimise the use of plastic in packaging, as well as the long-lasting commitment to the clean-up initiative. Steady Kangata, EMA Director, described SPAR as “versatile in adjusting to the changing environmental and societal needs and expectations, providing manpower and material resources necessary to meet expected demands.”

Other initiatives

Clean-ups are not the only way in which SPAR Zimbabwe supports the environment. SPAR Zimbabwe’s responsible retailing strategy also includes social topics as a core focus including child rights and health issues.

Source: SPAR Zimbabwe.

About SPAR Zimbabwe

In 1967, Zimbabwe joined the SPAR network after a licence was granted to a local organisation by SPAR International. In 2015, an independent retailer took over the licence for the SPAR Brand in the market. SPAR Zimbabwe remains actively involved in the local community, helping to make a difference.

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Gerhard Drexel, SPAR Austria’s supervisor board chairman, awarded honorary professor title

Penny van der Kaars — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 14:00:40 +0000

At a ceremony on December 1, 2023, SPAR Austria supervisory board chairman Dr. Gerhard Drexel was awarded the title of honorary professor. The Leopold Franzens University of Innsbruck recognised Dr Drexel's twelve years of part-time teaching at the Faculty of Business Administration as well as for his successful and exemplary work as a board member of SPAR Austria.

The honorary professorship award goes to excellent specialists who can demonstrate academic activity and have contributed to teaching at the University of Innsbruck, leaving a lasting impact.

During an academic ceremony, Univ. Prof. Dr. Oliver Koll, Professor of Marketing at the Institute for Strategic Management, Marketing and Tourism, praised Dr Drexel’s impressive career: “Through his decades of work as CEO and his chairmanship of the supervisory board of SPAR Austria, Dr. Gerhard Drexel has in-depth knowledge of strategic corporate management. In his work, he relied on the innovative power of SPAR’s own brands and led the company to market leadership for the first time in the history of Austrian retail.”

Koll continued about Dr. Drexel’s teaching at the University of Innsbruck: “By drawing on his comprehensive expertise and practical examples during his lectures, our students derive much benefit. By awarding the title of honorary professor, we are building a valuable bridge from theory to operational practice.”

Recognition and thanks

Dr. Gerhard Drexel received this high academic award with both gratitude and joy. He sees his future role as contributing to a lively exchange and building relationships between science and business and between universities and business practice. Dr. Drexel said: “Everyone should benefit from a focused collaboration between theory and practice: the university, the economy, and especially the students and prospective graduates.”

Career in retail

Dr. Gerhard Drexel completed his business administration studies at the University of St. Gallen (HSG) in Switzerland before moving to the Leopold Franzens University in Innsbruck for his doctoral studies. He was born into the retail sector through his father Luis Drexel, a founding member of SPAR in Austria. Dr. Gerhard Drexel led SPAR Austria as CEO for twenty years – from the beginning of 2001 to the end of 2020 – and during this time he shaped SPAR Austria’s successful private label architecture. In his last year as CEO, 2020, he saw SPAR become the market leader for the first time in the history of Austrian retail. At the beginning of 2021, Dr. Drexel retired from operational management and took over the chairmanship of the supervisory board of SPAR Austria.

Source: SPAR Austria

R ead more about SPAR Austria.

About SPAR Austria

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SPAR UK celebrates award success

peterm — Thu, 30 Nov 2023 08:00:16 +0000

SPAR celebrated success across the UK with winners at the Scottish Grocer Awards, Scottish Local Retailer Awards, the Neighbourhood Retailer Awards, and the 2023 Asian Trader Awards.

Scottish Grocer Awards

A number of SPAR stores and colleagues were rewarded for their hard work at the Scottish Grocer Awards in Glasgow.

SPAR Scourie won the Best New Store of the Year award. Based in the coastal village of Lairg, the store provides something unique to everyone who lives locally or passes by.

SPAR Renfrew came away with the Licensed Retailer of the Year prize. Retailer Saleem Sadiq and his team bring a new level of convenience to customers through digital screens, electronic shelf edge labels, seasonal promotions, and utilising data to bring the right products to the store.

SPAR Crosshouse in Kilmarnock won the Bread & Bakery Retailer of the Year award. The store has a well stocked assortment with an outstanding range of local and national bread & baked goods to cater for all customer needs, from the traditional Scottish morning rolls through to gluten-free and long-life options. Media screens, eye-catching POS and offers also serve to enhance the customer experience.

Scottish Local Retailer Awards

Five SPAR stores, alongside the Scottish wholesaler CJ Lang, were crowned winners at the 2023 Scottish Local Retailer Awards. The event saw Scotland’s local retailing community gather to honour some of the best retailers, stores and initiatives. SPAR St. George’s Cross, SPAR Crosshouse, and David Sands Group of three stores, all took home awards across different categories. In the symbol group awards, it was a clean sweep for CJ Lang, with SPAR Scotland winning both the Community Initiative of the Year award and the prestigious Symbol Group of the Year category.

The Neighbourhood Retailer Awards

In Northern Ireland, the Neighbourhood Retailer Awards is one of the most prestigious award ceremonies in the retail industry. SPAR brought home an impressive six awards on the night. Creightons EUROSPAR Finaghy took home the Community Store of the Year. EUROSPAR Cullybackey won the Neighbourhood Store of the Year (category 3) award.

Meanwhile, EUROSPAR Ladas Drive won the award for Forecourt of the Year (category 1), with McCullagh’s SPAR Classic Service Station winning Forecourt of the Year in category 2. Hamilton’s SPAR Castlederg was awarded with the Fresh Food Store of the Year award, and Lynch’s EUROSPAR Greysteel took home the Newcomer of the Year prize.

2023 Asian Trader Awards

At the 2023 Asian Trader Awards, SPAR Linford Retailer Sheetal Sisodiya won the Impulse Retailer of the Year award. Sheetal has developed a highly impressive store just three years into operating the SPAR store, including innovative displays leading to seasonal events, as well as popular offers with customers.

Source: SPAR UK

About SPAR UK

The United Kingdom became a SPAR member in 1956 when SPAR International granted the SPAR licence to a group of independent wholesalers. There are five regional organisations in the UK, continually building the brand’s presence. A central office in London provides national marketing and buying services for the group. SPAR UK comprises independently owned, licensed, retailers and company-owned stores.

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DESPAR Italia celebrates Retailer of the Year 2023-2024 award

peterm — Tue, 21 Nov 2023 08:35:41 +0000

DESPAR Italia received the prestigious Retailer of the Year award in the Supermarket category for the fourth year in a row. The award reaffirms DESPAR Italia’s quality offering and customer service.

The Retailer of the Year is promoted by Q&A Research Italia srl, with the results coming from a customer satisfaction survey on their favourite stores. More than 320,000 consumers took part in the survey, with 550 brands divided into 25 categories. Each company was evaluated based on factors such as: price, assortment, hospitality, employee competence, ease of purchase, and store appearance.

Retailer of the Year: Supermarket category

DESPAR Italia came out on top in the Supermarket category with an overall score of 4.0 out of 5.0. This is the fourth consecutive year which DESPAR Italia has won the award. This achievement reinforces DESPAR Italia’s constant commitment to providing quality services and strengthening the bond with customers. The award is a celebration of DESPAR Italia’s dedication to delivering quality, convenience, and expertise every day, in every store.

On winning the award, Filippo Fabbri, General Manager of DESPAR Italia, said: “To see our customers’ trust confirmed for the fourth consecutive year is a source of great satisfaction. This award belongs to all the more than 12,300 employees of the DESPAR Group, whom I would like to thank for their commitment and dedication with which they contribute every day to making the DESPAR brand known and appreciated throughout Italy. The recognition obtained makes us proud of the path undertaken by our brand and carried out by our members in the territories, and is further confirmation of the constant appreciation that customers show for the quality of service and offerings in our shops.”

Source: DESPAR Italia.

About SPAR Italy

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