25 Spar Hypermarkets planned for India by end of 2017

L - R: Dr Gordon Campbell - Spar International Managing Director; Minster of Agriculture of the Netherlands Sharon Dijksma; Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte; Viney Singh - Managing Director of Spar India; Ambassador of the Netherlands to India, Nepal & Bhutan Alphonsus Stoelinga supported by Hans de Boer, Head of Mission (back left).

Netherlands-based Spar International recently reported 2014 global retail sales of €31.9 billion from 12 300 stores in 40 countries. The group unites and works in partnership with independent retailers by working together to share global scale and expertise to enhance the competiveness of its retail partners worldwide and build the brand internationally.

In emerging markets such as in Asia, it has specialised in developing modern supply chains to enable the efficient movement of goods from local producers to the shop shelf. In India alone, the company now supports over 4000 local vendors who supply food and merchandise to the growing Indian network.

It re-entered the Indian market last August following the signing of a partnership agreement with Max Hypermarkets. The partnership has already successfully re-launched 16 Spar Hypermarkets with an additional four openings planned for the remainder of 2015, all offering an extensive range of food and non-food, at competitive prices. It is anticipated that Spar India will reach €300 million turnover by 2019.

Speaking during his visit Rutte said, "Our trade mission to India is designed to share knowledge, forge partnerships and encourage co-operation between Dutch and Indian companies. It is greatly encouraging to see a company such as Spar, which started as a partnership of Dutch retailers and wholesalers more than 80 years ago, now active in India as well as 40 other countries around the world."

Spar International MD, Dr Gordon Campbell said, "Our growth and success in India provides an ideal case study for the suitability of the model in emerging markets. Where other global brands have struggled to gain traction, its brand values and offering, global expertise and partnership model, have brought immediate benefits for retailer, supplier and, ultimately, the consumer."

Viney Singh, MD of Spar India, said, "We are delighted with the results since we converted our first 16 hypermarkets to the brand. Its understanding of international best practice in retail operations and supply chain management, combined with our consumer understanding and local sourcing strengths have created an immediate uplift in store sales. The Spar brand propositions of freshness and value have been very well received by the Indian consumer."

Dr Campbell concluded, "We already work closely with Dutch Government agencies in securing funding and technical assistance for the development of rural retail hubs in South Africa linking Spar stores to local growers in their region. Our aim would be to extend this partnership approach to other developing regions, including India, into the future."