Spar International has announced that it is entering the retail market in Belarus, with plans to open 60 new stores by 2020.
Spar is partnering with Almi Group, whose subsidiary Unifood CKSC will operate the Spar brand in Belarus. Currently, Almi operates 43 stores in four format under the banners Almi and Zakrama.
Spar will be supporting the Almi Group with retail design, staff, training, supply chain review, and marketing campaigns. It will also provide a private label range, and introduce an extensive new range of food-to-go and ready-to-eat products.
Expansion Plans
The partnership was launched at the official opening of the first Spar Belarus supermarket in the capital city of Minsk. The new 370 square metre store includes a wide range of fruits and vegetables, fresh meat, and an in-store bakery.
The company has a long-term expansion plan for Belarus, including store openings in the cities of Minsk, Grodno, Gomel, and Brest.
"We are delighted to partner with the Almi group to launch Spar together in Belarus," said Tobias Wasmuht, managing director of Spar International. "Our teams have worked closely together to ensure the transfer of our tried and tested Spar retail formats and international best practice."
Established in 1932, Spar International encompasses more than 12,500 stores in 46 countries. The group reported sales of €33.1 billion in 2016.
© 2017 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Sarah Harford. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
