Food retailer SPAR enters Kazakhstan

Dutch food retailer SPAR enters Kazakhstan following the opening of its first EUROSPAR Supermarket in Almaty. Local retail and distribution company Skif Trade LLP will operate the SPAR brand in Kazakhstan.

The EUROSPAR Supermarket offers customers an extensive selection of food-to-go items while fresh departments include butchery, bakery and fruits and vegetables. In the central kitchen area, chefs prepare dishes including pizzas, pancakes, sushi, wok, national delicacies and pastries in full view of customers. Weekly, daily or top-up shopping is possible with the wide range of grocery products. In addition, SPAR Kazakhstan offers local consumers a variety of SPAR’s own brand of products, sourced from the international network.

Spanning approximately 25,835 sqft the first EUROSPAR Supermarket was a refit of a company-owned small store previously operating on that site. The impact of the conversion was immediately clear with turnover exceeding by 250% during the pre-launch phase. Customers could use one of the six self-scanning stations or one of the nine manned checkouts to complete their purchases.

SPAR Kazakhstan has identified opportunities to roll out the brand to several other cities including Astana and Pavlodar. The SPAR multi-format retailing strategy which has supported the brand’s expansion around the world will be integral to SPAR Kazakhstan’s market penetration plan. Following the opening of EUROSPAR Supermarket opening, a format aimed at families, convenience focused SPAR Express and neighbourhood format SPAR Supermarket are in the making.

Combining the expertise of the local team with deep understanding of customer needs and strong local sourcing strategies, coupled with international design set the tone for SPAR’s future development in Kazakhstan.