SPAR enters Kosovo retail market | Progresiv
SPAR International has announced the brand’s entry into its 27th European retail market, Kosovo. The company will open three new stores by the end of 2019 and 35 within five years. 
SPAR Kosovo has been set up by a group of experienced partners in FMCG wholesale, retail, food safety and international franchising. Together with SPAR International, the group will “deliver a new global standard of FMCG retail experience to Kosovo consumers, promising premium products and value for money.”
The transfer of knowledge from SPAR partners will help improve SPAR Kosovo’s offering and customer service. The expansion will see the introduction of SPAR Own Brand products, international brands as well as fresh local Kosovo produce. This will provide local suppliers with more opportunities to expand their market share.
Two SPAR supermarkets have already been opened and well received in Prishtina. The retailer will open three new stores before the end of 2019 and a further seven in 2020. In the longer term, SPAR Kosovo hopes to open 35 stores within five years, comprising an estimated sales space of 50,000 sq. m. The stores will be in Prishtina as well as other Kosovan towns and tailored to suit the local shopper needs.
Large modern supermarkets and hypermarkets are in high demand in Kosovo, where the current retail environment is dominated by small retail stores. SPAR International will continue to support the expansion with training, operational standards and SPAR Own Brand product sourcing.
Commenting on the expansion, managing director Tobias Wasmuht said, “We are delighted to partner with the local team in Kosovo... SPAR’s local but global approach will deliver international best practice while harnessing local retail expertise.” (retailanalysis.igd.com)
