The video series is part of SPAR’s ongoing commitment to healthy eating and healthy lifestyles and falls under our long-standing SPAR Better Choices initiative, which is designed to encourage customers to include healthy choices when shopping in their local SPAR store. The series revolves around Eoin “coaching” Kellie in the kitchen as they create delicious and nutritious meals from a variety of products from the SPAR Better Choices range. As a top athlete, Kellie is naturally very discerning when it comes to her food choices and the series aims to provide both practical guidance on meal prep as well as tips on pre and post workout nutrition.

(47) SPAR Ireland – YouTube

SPAR’s campaign is aimed at promoting healthier lifestyles and preferences for all the family. SPAR Brand Ambassador, Kellie Harrington, is a firm believer in making a Better Choice when it comes to leading a busy and healthy lifestyle. But it’s not always easy to know which is the better choice. When in doubt, ask yourself, what would Kellie choose?

The post ‘Coaching Kellie’ – new cooking videos from SPAR featuring Kellie Harrington and chef Eoin Sheehan. appeared first on Ireland's Forecourt & Convenience Retailer.

These includes concepts such as Háo Chi Bar, The Local Tea Company, Popsicle, Pazza @ Home and I-Scream, the exclusive ice cream offering.

Hundreds of retailers from across Ireland gathered at the business forum to learn about the latest thinking in retailing trends, along with new technologies and other solutions to support retailers’ businesses which are due to roll out over the next 12 months.

The event, which took place at the Mount Wolseley Hotel in Carlow, included guest contributions from Olympic Gold Medallist and Spar Brand Ambassador, Kellie Harrington, TV and Radio’s Baz Ashmawy, Social Media strategist Greg Fry and managing director of the Meagher’s Pharmacy group, Oonagh O’Hagan.

Spar and BWG Foods management delivered presentations on the continued development and expansion of the SPAR retail network across Ireland, and plans to launch new products including an expanded Spar Own Brand Range.

Among the new solutions showcased was BWG Foods’ new predictive AI stock management system, ShopLink Pro, which leverages hundreds of complex data points to predict consumer demand for in-store products, allowing for smarter forecasting of stock requirements.

The system also makes use of business promotions and category management to deliver 21-day, 14-day and 7-day sales forecasts. BWG also unveiled an new HR Support service.

Colin Donnelly, sales director, Spar, said: “Our network of Spar retailers is very much a tight-knit community of likeminded businesspeople, so it was fantastic to gather socially and to share conversations regarding the future of our business, our offerings and our iconic brand. Spar has always been at the very forefront of retail innovation in Ireland and across the world, and this meeting was the perfect platform to share ideas and to present our exciting plans.”

The post Spar showcases new food and drinks products at Spar Innovation Event appeared first on Ireland's Forecourt & Convenience Retailer.

The new SPAR locations include a prime site in the newly completed Strand View residential development on Bray’s iconic seafront in County Wicklow, a modern, large format site in the expansive Clancy Quay residential development, catering to the significantly expanded Islandbridge community in Dublin, another in Carrickmines on Dublin’s southside, and the opening of a number of new SPAR stores to cater for people on the move stopping off at forecourt locations around the country.

The addition of 30 stores brings SPAR’s store network to more than 420 locations nationwide, supporting approximately 14,550 jobs with SPAR Ireland actively supporting its independent retailers to recruit to fill the newly created roles.

SPAR Ireland, one of Ireland’s largest convenience retail groups, is also targeting further openings throughout the remainder of 2022 and is currently in the process of identifying suitable green and brownfield sites.

New housing developments and the establishment of new communities as a result has and will continue to be a key driving factor in the opening of new SPAR stores.

In addition to new store openings, SPAR Ireland, in conjunction with its independent retailers, are in the process of completing a major renovation programme across its existing store network, with 20 refurbishments completed since October.

Commenting on SPAR’s recent expansion, John Moane, Chief Commercial Officer, BWG Foods (owners and operators of the SPAR brand), said, “A modern and unique store design, a genuine convenience proposition, and a quality offering across all food and grocery categories combine to make the SPAR brand hugely attractive to independent retailers looking to capitalise on new opportunities that exist within the marketplace.

“Much of the growth we see across the SPAR network has been stimulated by pent up demand for new grocery sites caused by the pandemic, and we envisage a continued uplift in the convenience market as a result.

“While this dynamic has already resulted in unprecedented growth across the SPAR store network, we’re determined to leverage this current momentum by continuing to grow our footprint across every community in Ireland.”

SPAR Ireland has delivered 8 years of consecutive sales growth driven in large part by strengthening demand amongst consumers for local convenience retail options in city centre, neighbourhood and forecourt locations.

The post SPAR Ireland significantly expands store network with the opening of 30 new sites appeared first on Ireland's Forecourt & Convenience Retailer.

 Two of Ireland’s most exciting food brands, Fulfil and Mude, have secured potentially highly valuable commercial agreements with SPAR International, as part of the group’s Challenger Brand Programme which connects the SPAR network across the world with pioneering food brands having strong international growth potential.

Through these commercial agreements, Fulfil, based in West Dublin, and Mude, based in County Kildare, will gain access to selected buying teams across the 48 countries in which SPAR operates worldwide. Both brands are already in consultation with SPAR internationally  as part of their new commercial agreements.

Brand Challenger Programme

SPAR International’s Brand Challenger Programme was established in 2019 with the aim of identifying innovative and purpose-driven brands capable of disrupting the food and beverage industry. Through this programme, each of SPAR’s 48 markets globally have the opportunity to nominate extraordinary candidate brands that meet a strict set of criteria.

Fulfil and Mude are the first Irish brands to have secured places in the programme and to obtain international commercial agreements as a result, having been nominated by BWG Foods, owner of SPAR Ireland. Fulfil was selected based on its track record of disrupting the protein bar category through its portfolio of innovative products that prioritise high protein, vitamins, and low sugar. Mude, a carbon neutral beverage company, was selected based on its strong commitment to sustainability and transparency in creating healthy, functional drinks. As a prerequisite, both brands were required to demonstrate their ability to uphold robust supply chains in meeting increased international demand as they continue to expand.

Potential for international growth

Simon Marriott, Chief Operations Officer, BWG Foods said, “From working closely with the teams in Fulfil and Mude and having observed how they have successfully disrupted the Irish market in their respective categories, it’s clear that these brands have significant potential for international growth. Their brand propositions are closely aligned with the wants, needs and expectations of today’s increasingly savvy consumer and I’m delighted that we in BWG Foods have the opportunity to help accelerate their international growth trajectory.

Tobias Wasmuht, CEO of SPAR International added, “Fulfil and Mude fit with SPAR’s goals of introducing innovative, purpose-driven brands with a proven success in one or more markets, to new regions through our international network. These agreements offer a global platform to both companies to replicate their success in Ireland and grow their market presence together with SPAR worldwide.”

Fulfil first listed with BWG Foods in 2016 and experienced phenomenal sales growth, gaining significant market share in the bar category. Fulfil is now on sale in approximately 400 SPAR stores across the country. Mude was first listed with BWG Foods during the pandemic in September 2020 and is projected to experience strong sales growth over the coming summer period.

The post Irish Brands Fulfil and Mude gain access to the SPAR international retail store network appeared first on Ireland's Forecourt & Convenience Retailer.

There are over 13,500 Spar branded stores operating across 48 markets worldwide in five regions. The brand continued its expansion into new markets launching in Ghana in 2020, with 10 new stores operational by the end of the year.

Despite the challenges of operating through the Covid-19 pandemic, the majority of Spar countries reported strong growth.  In 16 Western European markets, sales grew 12% to €25.48 billion (64% of Spar’s total turnover). Spar Austria had impressive revenue growth of 16% to record total sales of €8.3 billion, up €1.2 billion on 2019.

Spar Netherlands increased retail in 2020 by 23.5%. The turnover of Spar Italy and Spar Spain grew by 8.4% and 7.2%, respectively.  The consistent theme of independent retailers excelling through the provision of neighbourhood retailing was seen through strong results in markets including Spar UK (12%), Spar Norway (12.5%), and Spar Ireland (+10%).

Continued expansion by the 11 Spar countries operating across Central and Eastern Europe was also observed, where like-for-like sales increased by 8.9% on 2019, with Spar Hungary reporting a sales growth of 9%. In Russia, the Spar brand continues to grow in strength and popularity with like-for-like sales of 6.8% driven by continued multi-format expansion. Spar Poland sales grew by 12% and has plans for significant expansion in 2021. Spar Slovenia and Spar Hungary’s results also highlighted both the critical role that multi-format retailers played throughout the last year with online sales growing by 150% and 250% respectively. Independently owned and operated stores now account for over 35% of Spar stores in Hungary.

Across Africa and the Middle East, the Spar brand deepened its presence in 15 countries and continued its growth trajectory with sales of €6.2 billion – a 2.8% increase on 2019. Spar South Africa reported sales of €5.22 billion. Other notable performers, in what have been sometimes tough trading conditions, were Spar Cameroon (+15%), Spar Mozambique (+14%), and Spar Zimbabwe (+9.55%). In the Middle East, Spar’s performance was characterised by exceptional sales growth for Spar Oman (+25%) and Spar Qatar (82.5%).The UAE remains Spar’s largest market in the region and grew by 2.1% in the year.

As the region that first had to contend with the true impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, SPAR in Asia Pacific produced a solid performance of 1.5% growth over the year and €1.88 billion in retail turnover. Spar China recorded retail sales of €1.55 billion and like-for-like annual sales growth of 7.9% in local currency. In Australia, Spar produced revenue growth of 16.5%, with proximity and neighbourhood retailing proving a popular and winning format as communities shopped increasingly local. Spar Pakistan and Spar Sri Lanka continued their growth momentum by 38% and 63%, respectively.

The post SPAR sales soar – latest figures show the symbol group’s success – Ireland up 10% appeared first on Ireland's Forecourt & Convenience Retailer.