SPAR enters the Latvia market with first location
The retailer held an opening ceremony for its first supermarket in the country and shared its plans to open at least 200 stores in the next five years.
SPAR celebrated the inauguration of its first Latvia store with an opening ceremony held on August 11 to open its first supermarket in the country. Local shoppers gathered around to welcome the newest retailer in the local market, which is planning to open at least 200 new locations in the next five years.
The 720m2 installation is located in the town of Saldus, 120km west of the capital city of Riga. The store includes an instore bakery as well as grocery and fresh products, and is positioned as a neighbourhood store which will meet the daily shopping needs of customers living within the community.
“Today, we are proud to open the first of at least 200 SPAR stores in Latvia which is our five-year goal. Much time and effort has been put into the development of the best SPAR neighbourhood store format to meet customer needs in Latvia. We have worked closely with different partners during this initial phase to bring customers locally sourced products as well as a range of SPAR Own Brand products,” said Andris Vilcmeiers, Chairman of the Board at SPAR Latvia.
Vilcmeiers attended the formal opening joined with Artūrs Gabaliņš, Member of the Board at Sia Skarleta, and Māris Zusts, Chairman of the Saldus Municipality Council. To commemorate the inauguration, the first one hundred customers were rewarded with welcoming gifts from SPAR Latvia.
The main benefits for customers visiting the company’s network of stores in the nation will be the shopping environment, service, fresh produce, and competitive offers. SPAR Latvia is planning a multi-format retail strategy with all stores offering goods sourced from the most popular Baltic manufacturers and brands, as well as SPAR Own Brand products from all main product groups.
In addition, the local branch of the retailer plans to provide local producers with an opportunity to offer their products at SPAR stores and assist them in increasing the accessibility of their products, as well as be the first retailer to offer innovations from the local producers at their shops.
