SPAR (UK) news

National symbol group retailer SPAR UK has announced the appointment of Lee Johnson as its Operations and Strategy Director.  Having joined the organization on 17 August, Lee Johnson now has responsibility for the group’s finance, governance, IT supply chain and strategic planning. Joined from Coty Lee Johnson has come to SPAR from the beauty and cosmetics business Coty (whose portfolio inc...

AF Blakemore, the midlands-based regional wholesaler and SPAR distributor has announced the acquisition of online vegan specialist retailer and wholesaler Vegan Store.  With its well-established vegan ranges across grocery, impulse and health and beauty categories, this addition to the Blakemore family of businesses brings a further dimension to its capability in sourcing and supplying innovative...

The regional SPAR wholesaler for Scotland, CJ Lang has announced it is to extend a click & collect service both for retail customers within its SPAR symbol group network, but also for other non-SPAR retailers.  This will enable it to expand supply to meet the significantly elevated demand currently flowing through its afiliated network as well as the wider Scottish convenience sector. Provides...

SPAR UK saw a year-on-year growth in retail sales per store of 2.6% for the year ending 31 December 2019. Total retail turnover reached €3.34 billion (£2.98 billion) in 2019. Strategic review of SPAR brand As highlighted in SPAR International’s Annual Report 2019, SPAR UK worked with SPAR International with a focus on refreshing the SPAR store format and aligning shopper missions for a cust...

In its move to rapidly scale-up home delivery from its network of SPAR convenience stores, AF Blakemore has launched a dedicated ordering website ( www.afbspar.co.uk ) to offer shoppers an assortment of 1,100 products from a wide range of food and drink categories. Initial 13 store coverage to be expanded to 80, delivery charged at £3 The service is already operational with an initial tranc...

The rapid adoption and expansion of home delivery services from convenience and local independent stores has been a significant feature of how these stores have responded to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) emergency lockdown. Anecdotally it is apparent that in a short space of time home delivery has come to account for a material proportion of many stores’ sales. From its initial launch of home del...

Speaking to Independent Retail News, Louise Hoste, Managing Director of SPAR UK, has outlined the plans for the group to create an updated blueprint for its stores, product offer and brand positioning to take it forward into 2021 and beyond. Consolidating development underway in regions Building on trials and format evolution already being undertaken by the regional distributors that suppor...

SPAR UK has reported an increase of 2.6% in like-for-like sales for the four weeks to 29 December 2019. Focus on fresh and availability As well as a 2.6% increase over the period, SPAR UK announced a 7% increase in like-for-like sales during the final week. The retailer said this was due to its focus on fresh and availability. Louise Hoste, managing director of SPAR UK, commented: “O...

South-west England SPAR distributor, Appleby Westward has acquired the Southampton-based mini convenience chain, Denovo Retail, adding a further 17 stores to its company-owned retail estate.  Denovo will continue to operate separately to the core AW store business.  Under a new name, Wessex Retail, Denovo's directors will work in partnership with AW to drive further acquisitions for the regional ...

SPAR UK has appointed Louise Hoste as the Managing Director of its central office function, who will take up the role in October 2019.  The position is being filled on an interim basis by Chris Lewis and Jackie Mckenzie, following the departure of Debbie Robinson in late 2018. Brings a broad range of retail experience Louise Hoste will join SPAR UK from Card Factory, where she has been Execut...