Convenience chain Spar today opened a flagship store in Chengdu as its expansion into China continues.
The new Chengdu store, located in China‘s Sichuan province, is the 215th Spar branch in China and joins more than 12,000 Spar stores worldwide.
Spar‘s international expansion policy involves working with independent regional retailers, and so far has brought five regional retail chains into the Spar China group.
Sichuan Dehui Commercial Co. Ltd is the latest retail chain to be brought into the fold, and will own and operate the new Chengdu store.
Mr Zhang, President of Dehui, commented: “For six months we have co-operated closely with Spar International and Spar China to develop this new innovative format, a top international standard supermarket to meet the modern Chinese family‘s needs in the city of Chengdu.
“This new Spar store format offers us the opportunity to grow and expand our business in the central districts of Chengdu.
“In developing the store we sought to merge leading international expertise in store design and category management within Spar to complement our local knowledge and competence.
“The result is a great success.”
Dehui, which employs over 2,300 people, was founded by Mr Zhang and his wife in 2000, and now operates over 50 stores and an organic farm in the Sichuan province.
A second store, an 8,000 sq m hypermarket, is already under development.
Commenting that the company was “proud” of its partnership with Dehui, Spar China Managing Director Tobias Washmut said: “Under the leadership of Mr Zhang and his wife, Dehui has shown exceptional growth since its foundation in the year 200.
“Spar will work closely with the entire Dehui team to build on this strong foundation and provide them with the resources to grow their business.
“Our co-operation has begun very well and in addition to the impressive first flagship store in Chengdu, work is underway to introduce further retail format innovation, greater efficiencies in the supply chain, training and management systems to both store and head office teams.”
