SPAR Portugal

Central office

SPAR Portugal

PORTSPAR S.A
Rua General Ferreira Martius 8º-9º B
1495 - 137 Algés
Portugal

Tel: +351 210 131 010
Fax: +351 210 131 011

The licence for SPAR in Portugal was signed in 2006 and the first stores opened in late 2007. These pilot stores provide an important platform for the roll out of the SPAR brand to independent retailers throughout Portugal.

The focus of SPAR Portugal is to develop a network of independent SPAR retailers throughout the country. Initially, however, the focus is on targeting the south of the country, with a particular emphasis on opening outlets in the main tourist locations.

SPAR Portugal identified three strands to their proposition for independent retailers. The first is the provision of access to an international retail brand which is trusted by consumers in 33 countries worldwide. In particular, the brand is known and trusted in the home country of many of the tourists who visit the south of Portugal each year.

The second strand is providing access to best practice in store design, layout and merchandising. This expertise is provided by the retail design team of SPAR International, supported by SPAR Portugal. The latter investigate market trends and determine the best product and service mix for the individual store locations.

The third strand is to provide retailers with a credible range of SPAR Private label products. In developing its retail proposition for independent retailers SPAR Portugal identified the importance of being able to offer a comprehensive range of SPAR private label products. Management therefore successfully negotiated an agreement with SPAR Spain to purchase private label products. This agreement has proved very successful.

The retail market in Portugal is still highly fragmented with a large number of small and medium sized independent specialists operating in the market. This situation has begun to change. There is a growing presence of supermarkets and discounters and some consolidation is beginning to take place. Portugal is becoming an increasingly attractive market for European retailers seeking new opportunities for growth.

The tourist areas in the south of the country are proving particularly popular to new retailer entrants to this market. SPAR is benefiting from the brand awareness enjoyed in the countries from which the majority of the tourists originate. This understanding has been integrated into the retail offer, store layout and communication.

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