SPAR International (SPAR) has continued its global expansion with the official launch of new stores in Indonesia and Lebanon in recent weeks.
A global partnership between SPAR and PT. Ramayana Lestari Sentosa Tbk (Ramayana) is expected to see 15 stores open in Jakarta during 2015. The first three Jakata stores officially launched on 4 March with the partnership confirming plans to open 15 stores in Indonesia by the end of the year.
SPAR has over 12,200 stores worldwide and the partnership with Ramayana – a leading Indonesian retail group with 116 stores trading under the Ramayana, Robinson and Cahaya retail brand names –is a key part of SPAR’s ongoing expansion into Asian markets.
A total of €1 million ($1.13 million) was invested in the refurbishment and relaunch of the stores in Bogor, Cibitung and Cibubur. The stores, each approximately 1,500 square metres in size, offer a full supermarket range and have been completely upgraded and modernised in line with SPAR’s unique and market leading retail concept. This includes the introduction of large fresh sections including in store bakery, fresh fish, hot foods to go, or to eat in, combined with a special emphasis on the family offering. The partnership anticipates a 30% increase in retail turnover as a direct result of the store conversions to SPAR.
Above: SPAR places an emphasis on fresh in Indonesia (left) and Lebanon (right).
In Lebanon SPAR has partnered with Retail Works SAL (part of Business Management Integrated Holding Inc ) to launch their two stores in Beirut on 7 March. The stores in the Nabatiyeh and the Sodeco areas of Beirut, represent SPAR International’s global best practice in providing a new shopping experience for Lebanese customers incorporating freshness, value, choice and service. The Nabitiyeh supermarket will be a key source of a wide range of grocery items for the entire south region.
Planning for the opening of a further two more stores later this year is also underway in line with robust expansion plans into the Lebanese market in 2015.
Speaking at the state-of-the-art 2,400 square metre Nabatiyeh store, Dr Gordon Campbell CEO of SPAR International said “These store launches mark another significant milestone in the development of the SPAR brand in the Middle East. We are confident that these quality stores in these excellent locations will provide Lebanese consumers with an exciting new customer experience which we are committed to emulating in our stores across the region.”