Spar wants a bigger slice of Ireland's €15bn grocery market

Strategy includes plans for new store openings, upgrading existing sites, and a new design for EuroSpar supermarkets

Spar’s withdrawal from its Swiss and UK divisions highlights a broader trend of reevaluating European retail strategies.

South African headquartered Spar group, in releasing its half-year reporting last week, announced its plan to withdraw from its extensive operations in Switzerland and the UK, but in a surprising move, declared its intention to double down on its investment in Ireland.

The group’s decision to offload its Swiss and UK retail businesses is part of a strategic realignment towards a more profitable international presence. Spar group chief executive Angelo Swartz stated the group experienced a tough operating environment, particularly in its European operations, while the South African consumer remains under pressure as well.