Beyond the striking vehicle livery, SPAR Scotland is actively contributing to the event’s success. The retailer will supply essential products to support the hundreds of volunteers and staff working tirelessly during the three-day championships. Drinks and snack products will also be provided to a select group in the hospitality area.

Investing in sponsorship

SPAR Scotland is leaving no stone unturned in its commitment to promote the  World Athletics Indoor Championships. A substantial investment includes social media campaigns, instore radio advertising, digital screens, point-of-sale displays, consumer competitions, and public relations initiatives. An engaging instore event at SPAR Garthamlock on February 20 kicked off the countdown to the championships.

Expressing excitement about being the first official event supporter, Paula Middleton, Head of Marketing at SPAR Scotland, highlighted the strategic use of delivery vehicles as a unique opportunity to showcase the retailer’s sponsor status.

Welcoming SPAR Scotland as the first Official Event Supporter, Billy Garrett, Director of Tourism, Culture, and Events at Glasgow Life, emphasised the retailer’s international athletics ties and extensive Scottish network as ideal for promoting the championships.

The Championships

The 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships promises six sessions of thrilling sports, featuring over 700 competitors from around 130 countries. Falling within the Paris 2024 Olympic Games qualification period, the championships hold significance for athletes aiming for prestigious World Indoor titles and fine-tuning preparations for the Olympics. Glasgow, building on the success of the 2019 European Athletics Indoor Championships, anticipates a global audience of over 100 million viewers across 150 territories tuning in for this monumental event.

Source – SPAR Scotland 

Read more about 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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Fostering Talent and Diversity 

Established four years ago by passionate cycling enthusiasts, CTO has rapidly evolved into a key player in road cycling. The team, comprising talents as young as ten years old to seasoned cyclists in the Masters category, represent a diverse range of athletes dedicated to the development of amateur-level cycling. Team leader Markus Rohner emphasises the team’s dedication to knowledge transfer, youth development, and the explicit support of women in cycling.

Revitalizing Cycling 

Cycling has experienced a surge in popularity in Switzerland. With SPAR as the main sponsor, CTO is poised to enhance its efforts to promote the sport in Eastern Switzerland. This strategic collaboration aligns perfectly with both partners sharing common values and interests.

SPAR Switzerland CEO Rob Philipson expresses enthusiasm for this venture. “We have a longstanding commitment to promoting sport, notably handball, and expanded this two years ago with the sponsorship of the Swiss Epic. With our partnership with CTO, we look forward to even more actively supporting cycling. Our involvement extends beyond sponsorship; we aim to embody the ‘Better Together’ spirit and support amateur cyclists at local events.”

Source: SPAR Switzerland

Read more news from SPAR Switzerland.

About SPAR Switzerland

SPAR Switzerland was founded in 1989. The business grew, combining corporate and independently owned stores, spanning forecourt retailing to large supermarkets. Since 2016, SPAR Switzerland has been a subsidiary of SPAR Group Ltd Southern Africa.

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The Scottish Gas Women’s Scottish Cup was on display at the SPAR Supermarket in Kincorth from 12 pm to 3 pm. This provided customers a unique opportunity to get up close to the prestigious trophy. The occasion marked SPAR Scotland’s extended sponsorship.

Customers at the SPAR store enjoyed engaging activities that afternoon, including a spinning wheel for prizes. The highlight of the day was the arrival of the Scottish Cup, piped into the store by area manager Garry Brailsford, creating a memorable moment for all.

Colleagues from the Scottish Grocers Foundation’s Healthy Living Programme joined the event, welcoming children from Abbotswell Primary School. The young attendees not only had the chance to take photos with the Scottish Cup but also participated in a healthy living event within the store.

Community Support

Demonstrating a commitment to local communities, SPAR Scotland presented cheque donations to Abbotswell Primary and Kincorth Community Hub, emphasising SPAR’s dedication to nurturing neighbourhoods.

Investment in Women’s Football

SPAR Scotland’s ongoing partnership with the Scottish FA aims to raise the profile of the Scotland Women’s National Team and invest in girls’ and women’s grassroots football across the country. The extended sponsorship until August 2027 includes new rights, incorporating the Women’s Scottish Cup domestic games over the next four years.

The collaboration between SPAR Scotland and the Scottish FA seeks to encourage young people to adopt an active and healthy lifestyle. The partnership supports grassroots football for girls aspiring to represent the Scotland Women’s National Team.

Source – SPAR Scotland

Read more about 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.

The post SPAR Scotland celebrates ongoing partnership with Scottish FA appeared first on SPAR International.

Colin McLean, CEO of SPAR Scotland, said about this announcement, “As one of the most significant events on the Scottish sporting calendar, SPAR Scotland is thrilled to be announced as an Official Event Supporter. Our global association with athletics aligns seamlessly with our local commitment, and we hope to reach millions through televised broadcasts, reinforcing our brand’s support for this high-profile event.”

SPAR Scotland will give additional support by providing essential food for volunteers and staff. SPAR invested substantially in marketing this event, utilising instore POS, SPAR instore radio ads, social media, digital campaigns, and PR. Vehicles delivering goods to SPAR stores across Scotland will also feature a distinctive livery design, enhancing event visibility.

The World Athletics Indoor Championships expects to draw a global audience of over 100 million viewers across 154 territories. SPAR Scotland is also a supporter of women’s football and grassroots football in their market.

Source: SPAR Scotland

Read more about 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.

The post SPAR Scotland supporter of World Athletics Indoor Championships 2024 appeared first on SPAR International.

SPAR Kosovo are thrilled that the funds raised will support children undergoing treatment at the Paediatric Clinic’s hemato-oncology department. In addition, the proceeds will extend assistance to 250 families facing economic challenges.

The retailer affirms its commitment to the community through holding this annual run. Plans are already underway for future editions of the race to continue this style of support.

The event not only showcased a great example of solidarity in the community but also featured activities for children. The occasion brought together over 3,500 individuals keen to participate in this ‘mini marathon’. Each participant received a medal as a momento of the run and some SPAR Own Brand treats to enjoy. This highlights SPAR Kosova’s unwavering dedication to championing causes related to children, education, sport, and health.

 
Source: SPAR Kosova

Read more about SPAR Kosovo

About SPAR Kosovo

In January 2019, SPAR International granted an exclusive licence to a consortium, SPAR Kosova JSC, to operate the SPAR brand in the country. Since 2021, SPAR Kosova has become a division of the well-established Meridian Corporation which is fully owned by the Gashi family. The Meridian Group has over 1,000 employees throughout Kosovo and has an ongoing strategy to invest in the development of their people’s retail and wholesale skills. 

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Making history

In a historic moment, France’s Yann Schrub won men’s senior race gold, marking France’s first-ever senior men’s individual gold medal. Schrub’s outstanding performance sets the stage for his pursuit of gold in the upcoming Rome 2024 European Athletics Championships 10,000m.

Belgian fans revelled in joy as their team clinched the coveted team gold, a triumph not seen since 2016.

Norway’s Karoline Grøvdal etched her name in SPAR European Cross Country Championships history, securing her third successive senior women’s title.

Great Britain and Northern Ireland finished at the top of the medal standings, followed by France and Norway in third.

SPAR International proudly collaborated with its local partners SPAR Colruyt Group and SPAR Lambrechts on the SPAR European Cross Country Championships. The partners’ generous provision of nutritious snacks for the many dedicated volunteers were a clear sign of appreciation for their work, without which events such as this cannot succeed. Spectators were delighted with the prizes they could win in the SPAR Colruyt Group spin-the-wheel competition. Athletes were not forgotten, with protein bars made available by SPAR Lambrechts on the day.

Congratulations to all the winners and participants, making the 2023 SPAR European Cross Country Championships an unforgettable and monumental success.

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The SPAR European Cross-Country Championships will be streamed in their entirety on the All-Athletics platform from 12:05 local time (CET). There will also be extensive coverage of the championships on the European Athletics website and across social media channels.

SPAR & European Athletics

SPAR is the principal sponsor of European Athletics and has been since 1996. This long-term support of athletes across 50 federations in Europe reflects the SPAR ethos of working together for mutual benefit.

The sporting events supported in this partnership provide opportunities for SPAR retailers to support their local athletes. SPAR internationally is keen to not only support professional athletes but sporting enthusiasts of all ages and abilities, and this has grown over time to include local, regional, and national sport.

SPAR Belgium

SPAR was launched in Belgium in 1947, representing the first step in the brand’s international development. The brand is operated by two partners – Retail Partners Colruyt Group and Lambrechts. In 2023, SPAR has a significant presence with over 320 stores across the country. Among these, 93% operate under the core format of SPAR, while the balance are SPAR Express outlets.

SPAR Colruyt Group
The over 200 SPAR Colruyt Group stores are friendly, neighbourhood, supermarkets run by independent entrepreneurs, each with their own way of making their store unique. The stores are located in town or city centres and stand out thanks to their passion for good food. More information can be found on their website.

SPAR Lambrechts
The Lambrechts family business has been a co-license holder of the SPAR brand in Belgium since 1985. The company continues to build the brand presence through the development of both the SPAR and SPAR Express store formats. Today, around 100 independent affiliated retailers are at the heart of their communities. More information can be seen on their website.

Source: SPAR Belgium

Read more about SPAR in Belgium or the sponsorship of European Athletics.

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Inspiring Olympian

Olympian Holly Bradshaw, 32, who made history as the first British athlete to win a Pole Vault Olympic medal at the Tokyo 2020 Games, delivered an inspiring presentation. She shared her experiences as a former School Games participant and her career with Team GB. Holly, currently in her winter training for the Paris Olympics next year, expressed gratitude for the opportunity.

Christopher Baron, 9, from Heskin Pemberton CE Primary School, found Holly’s talk motivational with its emphasis on perseverance. The distribution centre tour also left a lasting impression, especially the food manufacturing area.

India Elkington, 9, from Holy Trinity RC Primary School in Brierfield, appreciated the production insights and admired Holly’s journey in football and beyond.

Children’s sports

The Lancashire School Games, sponsored by SPAR since 2006, engage children in sport and activities. In 2022-23, 24,000 children participated in 23 events across Lancashire. Adrian Leather, Chief Executive at Active Lancashire, thanked James Hall & Co. Ltd for their ongoing support.

Niels Dekkers, Retail Development Director at James Hall & Co. Ltd, praised the successful event and wished Holly all the best for the Paris Olympics.

For more details about the Lancashire School Games, visit www.lancashireschoolgames.co.uk.

Source: James Hall & Co. Ltd

Read more about 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.

The post SPAR Lancashire School Games supported by Olympian Holly Bradshaw appeared first on SPAR International.

The 2023-24 Lancashire School Games will see a transformative shift, focusing on running events and competitions in three distinct clusters: Coastal, Central, and Pennine regions. This tailored approach aims to engage schoolchildren with activities aligned to their local needs.

To celebrate this announcement, school children from Brindle Gregson Lane Primary School joined the Active Lancashire team and the School Games Organiser Network at SPAR Alder Drive in Gregson Lane. The event also featured Bhavesh Parekh, an award-winning independent SPAR retailer, and senior staff members from James Hall & Co. Ltd, SPAR’s primary wholesaler and distributor.

Long-term partnership

Over 18 years, SPAR, in association with James Hall & Co. Ltd, has invested £250,000 into the Lancashire School Games, providing schoolchildren with opportunities for physical activities, skill enhancement, and competitive events.

Willow Latham-Malova, age 10, expressed her excitement for the Games and the chance to meet new people, emphasising her love for tennis and swimming. Alfred Wright, age 11, spoke of his passion for basketball and football, highlighting the Games as an opportunity for personal growth and competition.

Sarah Walker, Director of Business at Active Lancashire, highlighted the importance of SPAR’s continued support in bringing the School Games to Lancashire’s schoolchildren. The revamped events aim to offer a more tailored experience for children across Lancashire.

Niels Dekkers, Retail Development Director at James Hall & Co. Ltd, anticipates the positive impact of the revamped School Games on young people in Lancashire communities.

The Lancashire School Games, administered by Active Lancashire and the School Games Organiser Network, have been proudly sponsored by SPAR since 2006. In the 2022-23 season, the Games engaged 24,000 children in sports and activities across Lancashire through 23 feature events and competitions.

Source: James Hall & Co. Ltd

Read more about 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.

The post SPAR and Active Lancashire celebrate 18 Year partnership appeared first on SPAR International.

New competition twist

In a historic twist, the 2023 SPAR European Cross Country Championships introduces a game-changing innovation. For the first time in the event’s history, both men and women will compete over identical distances in their respective age groups, heralding a new era of equality in the sport. Athletes will run 5km for the U20 category, 7km for the U23 category, and 9km for the senior category.

SPAR International is delighted to collaborate with its local partners in Belgium in supporting this event onsite. Both Retail Partners Colruyt Group and Lambrechts in Belgium are proud to showcase the competition to consumers and fans.

Tickets are already on sale, offering fans a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness Europe’s most exceptional cross country athletes in action. For those fans unable to join, the Championships will be live-streamed on the European Athletics website, hosted on the All-Athletics platform, in partnership with Eurovision Sport.

The 2023 SPAR European Cross Country Championships promises to be a historic and unforgettable event. As the countdown begins, athletes, spectators, and organisers are eagerly looking forward to this year’s competition.

For more details on ticketing and competition updates, please visit the European Athletics website.

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