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Tag: Spar

  • SPAR, MAN, others lead campaign for made in Nigeria goods

    SPAR, MAN, others lead campaign for made in Nigeria goods

    The campaign for made in Nigeria goods is further gathering momentum as SPAR Nigeria, which is part of the international restore stores chain has set machinery in motion to promote startups and small businesses across the country.

    SPAR Nigeria, in partnership with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Bank of Industry, Retail Council of Nigeria at the weekend hosted a SME Development Workshop Bazaar workshop which culminated in a sales bonanza tagged: SMEs Bazaar’, in which startups were given the opportunity to showcase the best of their products to prospective customers at SPAR’s outlet on Ilupeju Industrial Estate, Lagos.

    Justifying the need for the workshop, SPAR’s Deputy Managing Director, Prakash Keswani in an interview with journalists said his company appreciates the enterprise and industry that goes into the production of most of the local products, hence its decision to lend a helping hand towards promoting the brands.

    “We believe that these wonderful entrepreneurs are putting their sweat and blood into what they are doing so the workshop is just to let them know what they need to do differently in order to take their products to the next level,” he said.

    The SPAR boss further reiterated that the company decided to provide the platform for the SMEs because it is optimistic that they are potential big businesses of the future.

    Keswani who hinted of plans to promote the local brands across its retail outlets in Nigeria, Africa and beyond, however admitted that the first thing is to ensure that such products meet the necessary standards as that would open more opportunities for the local brands outside the shores of the country.

    Speaking earlier, an elated Ms Doris Onwugamba, Managing Director, MAN (Manufacturers Resource Centre), said this is the first time MAN is showcasing made in Nigeria products in a chain store. According to her, this is all part of buy made in Nigeria goods campaign being embarked upon by MAN and sister agencies across the country. “We’re taking this campaign all over Nigeria and hope to forge a synergy of cooperation with other major retail stores across the country,” she said.

    On Nigerians, who still have the notion that nothing good can come out of local products, the MAN boss had this to say: “Those who have the mindset that made in Nigeria goods are inferior are saying so out of ignorance. They should simply wake up and smell the coffee. Today, I can boldly say that made in Nigeria goods are well-made if not better than products overseas and that is why MAN has joined in the vanguard of those promoting these locally-made products.”

    Speaking with a cross-section of over 50 participating SMEs, including Olisa Amede-Achigale, MD/CEO, Bosaz Global Ventures, Posh International Ltd, the only indigenous company manufacturing hairdryers and other related equipment, Yetunde Ilesanmi, Director, La’becha Craft, and a host of others, they were full of thanks to the management of SPAR for affording them the opportunity to grow new clientele under their platform.

  • Etihad partners Spar on loyalty programme

    Etihad Airways  has  signed a pact   with  SPAR Nigeria to reward shoppers under its SPAR Reward Card loyalty programme.

    The campaign,  according to a statement by the airline, will run on a monthly basis and will  end  with a grand finale in December when the SPAR Shopper of the Year will be announced.

    SPAR Reward Card customers who spend N20,000 or more in a month, the airline said,  will automatically be entered into a grand finale draw, with the SPAR Shopper of the Year.

    The winner will be  rewarded with an all-inclusive visit to Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates capital city, including complimentary Business Class tickets and a four-night’s stay at one of the leading partner hotels.

    George Mawadri, Etihad Airways’ General Manager in Nigeria, said: “ We are excited to join with leading retail chain SPAR Nigeria on this promotion, which gives Nigerian shoppers the opportunity to enjoy great discounts on tickets and ticket upgrades on Etihad Airways’ flights, when they shop with SPAR.”

    John Goldsmith, Head of Marketing, SPAR Nigeria, said: “With this promotion, Etihad Airways has again demonstrated its commitment to the Nigerian community, which is sure to bring a smile to the faces of our loyal shoppers in SPAR stores across the country.’’

    meanwhile , Emirates has completed a major makeover of its Business Class lounge at Concourse B of Dubai International Airport.

    The refurbishment project took two years to complete and is part of the airline’s continuous investments to improve and upgrade its products for a seamless and enjoyable travel experience.

    Emirates’ premium customers can now look forward to an enhanced lounge experience with three new distinct concept areas within the Emirates Business Class Lounge.

  • SPAR is ‘best supermarket of year 2016’

    SPAR is ‘best supermarket of year 2016’

    SPAR, a hypermarket store chain in Nigeria, is the best supermarket in Nigeria.

    According to the African  Quality Institute, organisers of the African Quality Awards, SPAR Nigeria was nominated from a list of other supermarkets operating in the country based on the supermarket’s hypermarket’s quality standards and relentless service in offering Nigerians the best  products at the best prices.

    The African Quality Achievement Awards (AQAA) is an annual event initiated to celebrate leadership innovation and creativity in quality management in Africa.

    The award ceremony, which held at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers Ikeja, Lagos, was an initiative of the African Quality Institute in collaboration with IBMN Integrated Services, The Certified Institute of Quality Management and the Pan African Quality Organisation. Dignitaries, representing various industries and businesses nationwide, were present at the event.

    SPAR as a hypermarket store, takes cognisance of the various kinds of shopping missions and adapts its products and services in respect of choice, quality, service and value to translate the entire shopping experience into a world class.

    According to SPAR, over 5 million customers patronise its outlets annually, choosing products and services supplied by over 1,000 small, medium and large entrepreneurs and manufacturers across Nigeria. Today, it employs over 2,000 people from every section of the society.

    Speaking on the occasion, SPAR spokesperson, John Goldsmith, thanked the organiser for acknowledging SPAR’s team efforts at consistently delivering quality in terms of product offerings, choice of products, customer service and retail store infrastructure across its 10 stores in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Calabar.

    He added that to deliver consistent quality across all its stores, SPAR’s team is continuously monitoring the quality deliverables. “Being a hypermarket SPAR offers a very wide range of products starting from grocery & household, bakery & butchery, fruits & vegetables, hot meals, wine & spirits, fast moving consumer goods, consumer electronics, large and small home appliances, mobile phones, laptops & tablets, perfumes, watches & jewelleries and furniture.

    Quality deliverables for each product categories are very different from each other, which necessitates setting quality standards for each product category and a continuous measurement against the benchmarks.

    “When it comes to quality service delivery, SPAR replies on its retailing training programmes for all their staff members across levels and locations. SPAR in Nigeria is a part of worldwide chain with a global presence across 42 countries, which gives it access to world class training programmes and best practices.

    SPAR takes human capital development very seriously. In the recently launched SPAR store in Calabar, its Group Managing Director, Mr Haresh Keswani, engaged directly with the new team in training and grooming new recruits to equip them with the required skill sets to deliver world class shopping experience.

    “It’s very important to stay connected with the shoppers, get feedback on continuous basis to make sure their expectations are being met. The shoppers evolves continuously and so the quality standards and processes has to be improvised and periodically revamped to deliver the shopper expectations. SPAR has opened multiple channels to capture the voice of their shoppers through dedicated hotline numbers, emails and social media platforms,” Goldsmith said.

    He added that “with the proliferation of Facebook and Twitter, growing number of shoppers prefers to reach us through them”.

    He said: “Attending to customers is no more confined to Store Operating Hours, it has become 24 x 7 job and SPAR has put a dedicated team to address this. Customer feedback both compliments and complaints are taken very serious and are routed to all the concern function for immediate resolution and to make the future training programs more robust.

    “Working towards this end, SPAR remains unswerving in ushering positive socio-economic changes in its host communities. This approach remains embedded in the hypermarket’s ethos even as they rapidly expand their footprints deeper into Nigeria. The Artee Group is working on an aggressive roll out plan of SPAR stores across Nigeria. Apart from strengthening the presence in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Calabar, SPAR stores will penetrate new geographies like Enugu, Asaba, Kaduna, Ilorin to name a few.”

  • SPAR’s heart of gold

    SPAR’s heart of gold

    In line with its quest to give back to its host communities, SPAR Hypermarket has presented gift vouchers to outstanding pupils of Access Group of Schools, Calabar, Cross River State.

    The hypermarket, which opened its 10th store in Calabar, explained that the gesture was in recognition of the outstanding performances of the pupils.

    Consequently, it handed 15 SPAR gift cards worth N5,000 each to the best graduating students in each subject while the overall best student, Miss Precious Martins, went away with a N10,000 SPAR gift card.

    The brand’s spokesperson, John Goldsmith, said:  “Investing in our children and encouraging the younger generation is a sure Investment towards a greater Nigeria. ”The gift cards were handed over to the pupils by SPAR representatives, Mr. Chuks Ubah and Mr. Emmanuel Isangediok. Goldsmith disclosed that as SPAR expands its operation in Nigeria, so does it seek to directly impact lives of members of the community- old and young alike.

    He further explained that being a family-oriented brand, SPAR’s holding company in Nigeria, ARTEE, believes that Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is paramount in building and maintaining stakeholder trust for any company in the community, thus ensuring long term success for both the business and its host community.The brand, which also recently began the “Easy Payment” scheme nationwide, where loyal shoppers can make purchases and pay later, says with this, it is endearing itself to the mid-class consumer.

    “Adding value beyond limits remains SPAR and ARTEE Group’s stance even in the face of industrial challenges that may have inhibited other brands.

    “In the present economic state of the country, the brand finds ways to add value to its host communities,” Goldsmith submitted, adding that the Hypermarket has long recognised that investing in customers beyond its retail doors is a crucial aspect of its business activities in Nigeria.

  • SPAR opens Calabar store

    SPAR opens Calabar store

    SPAR, an Indian brand hypermarket, has unveiled an outlet in Calabar, the Cross River State capital. This brings to 10, the number of SPAR stores in the country.

    A former Minister of Tourism, Mr. Edem Duke, congratulated the promoters of the brand on investing in Cross River and for enhancing development in the state.

    According to the brand’s spokesperson, Mr. John Goldsmith, “SPAR is the hypermarket for all Nigerians, irrespective of socio-economic differences. Our outlets are carefully controlled to offer the most competitive prices on fast moving consumer goods and other items required to make life comfortable’’.

    With over 5000 sq. metres in retail space, SPAR Calabar, is the largest of its outlet in the country. The hypermarket  boasts of over 34,000 sq. metres of retail space in the country.  The new hypermarket, like other outlets, offers an array of products, ranging from grocery, bakery, butchery, fruits and vegetables, hot meals, wine and spirits, fast-moving consumer goods, consumer electronics, large and small home appliances, mobile phones, laptops and tablets, perfumes, watches and jewellery.

    SPAR, franchised by Artee Group’s Park and Shop for operations, is  located in Victoria Island, Lekki, Maryland Ikeja, MMA2, Abuja Wuse II, Port Harcourt and Calabar.

    In celebration of the Calabar inauguration, SPAR is offering all its shoppers an opportunity to win gifts. On any purchase of N2,500 ranging from electronic devices to edible goods.

  • SPAR opens Calabar store

    SPAR opens Calabar store

    SPAR, an Indian brand hypermarket, has unveiled an outlet in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, which brings to 10, the number of SPAR stores in the country.

    A former Minister of Tourism, Mr. Edem Duke, congratulated the promoters of the brand on investing in Cross River and for enhancing development in the state.

    According to the brand’s spokesperson, Mr. John Goldsmith, “SPAR is the hypermarket for all Nigerians, irrespective of socio-economic differences. Our outlets are carefully controlled to offer the most competitive prices on fast moving consumer goods and other items required to make life comfortable.”

    With over 5000 sq. metres in retail space, SPAR Calabar, is the largest of its outlet in the country. The hypermarket boasts of over 34,000 sq. metres of retail space in the country.  The new hypermarket, like other outlets, offers an array of products, ranging from grocery, bakery, butchery, fruits and vegetables, hot meals, wine and spirits, fast-moving consumer goods, consumer electronics, large and small home appliances, mobile phones, laptops and tablets, perfumes, watches and jewellery.

    SPAR, franchised by Artee Group’s Park and Shop for operations, is located in Victoria Island, Lekki, Maryland Ikeja, MMA2, Abuja Wuse II, Port Harcourt and Calabar.

    In celebration of the Calabar inauguration, SPAR is offering all its shoppers an opportunity to win gifts. On any purchase of N2,500 ranging from electronic devices to edible goods.

  • Fanfare as SPAR berths in Ilupeju

    Fanfare as SPAR berths in Ilupeju

    Ilupeju town, an uptown district in Lagos wore a festive look recently as the famous upscale retail store, SPAR, opened a new outlet in the fastest growing industrial hub in Lagos metropolis and its environs.

    The event which served as an open house cum formal luncheon was a showstopper of sort judging by the glitz, glamour which defined the ambience as well as the assortment of fun.

    Speaking to newsmen shortly after declaring the event opened, the Onipeju of Ilupeju, High Chief Korede Bisade Phillips, who was accopmpanied by other chiefs, including: former chairman of Mushin Local Government Area, Prince Bayo Oshiyemi and the Are Kakanfo of Owuland, Abeokuta, Prince Bolu Akin-Olugbade, said it’s a good development for the people of Ilupeju.

    “We’re happy we’ve SPAR in Ilupeju and that tells you Ilupeju is a place to reckon with in all business dealings in this country especially Lagos in particular. We see a lot of benefits coming to our immediate in terms of access to cheaper products and it will make life more comfortable for our people here in Ilupeju.”

    Justifying the opening of SPAR in Ilupeju, Deputy Managing Director, Artee Group, Mr. Prakesh Keswani, said it’s a dream come true.

    “The decision to expand to Ilupeju had been on for the past two years. This place was just a warehouse. But we saw that there is a good customer base here and we decided to take the opportunity,” he said.

    Upbeat, Keswani said: “It’s very encouraging to be here and customer reaction has been very fantastic. Our main motivation is to bring joy to the customers and make them experience quality service.” On the unique selling point of the brand, the Artee Group boss said: “What differentiates us from the competition is the fact that we’re a hypermarket. That means we provide all services across the chain of retail trade including food, electronics, IT, and almost anything you can think of. Besides the value we give to the customers is exceptionally good. It’s the quality of services, quality of products, etc.”

    SPAR in Nigeria which is being managed by the Artee Group, is a part of an international retail chain originating from Holland.

    SPAR, a Dutch multinational retail chain has global presence in 43 countries across four continents with over 12,500 stores and services over five million customers daily as well provides jobs for over 180, 000 people worldwide.

  • SPAR opens store in Ilupeju

    SPAR opens store in Ilupeju

    SPAR has opened its ninth store in Ilupeju, Lagos Mainland with funfare. Residents trooped to the hyper store for the event. The first 1,500 shoppers, with N3,000 purchase receipt each got free mobile phones.

    There were Laptops for the first five customers to purchase any brand of Lenovo, 5 per cent of beddings/duvet/towel; N5000  gift cards free for first 20 customers on purchase of any mobile phone worth N50,000 and above , 25 per cent off on Casio watches, up to N10, 000 free gift cards on laptop and accessories.  The most interesting is the flexible easy monthly payment scheme for purchase of electronics, home appliances, laptop, printers and other electronics.

    At the opening, Manager, ARTEE group, Mr. John Goldsmith said the turnout of shoppers was overwhelming as the retail giant is soon to open its Enugu store and others in Calabar, Asaba, Ilorin and Abeokuta.

    Goldsmith said  SPAR in Ilupeju has not only come to transform the area, but  has come with a Cooperate Social Responsible (CSR) to offer a day lunch to Radiant Achiever’s School to help fight malnutrition in the school.

    His words: “Ilupeju is a beautiful catchment area and for a retailer, it is an ideal location. It is a residential area with huge number of offices and factories. It is also a connecting area to Mushin, Ikorodu, Apapa, Oshodi and Agege Motor Road. It is a very important junction linking the places together”

  • Fashanu officiates at launch of SPAR in Abuja

    Fashanu officiates at launch of SPAR in Abuja

    At was a moment of celebration music and gifts galore when SPAR the largest chain of hypermarket stores officially launched the new SPAR store in CEDDI Plaza Abuja.

    The Store was declared opened by Former Nigerian/English Pro Footballer and Ambassador for Sports and Tourism -John Fashanu. Also present was TV Personality Rachel Bakam and other Friends of SPAR.

    Excited shoppers were ushered into the Store stocked with a wide array of products, ranging from Grocery, Bakery, Butchery, Fruits & Vegetables, Hot Meals, Wine & Spirits, Fast Moving Consumer Goods, Consumer Electronics, Large and Small Home Appliances, Mobile Phones, Laptops & Tablets, Perfumes, Watches & Jewellery.

    According to its Company’s spokesperson John Goldsmith, SPAR store in Ceddi Plaza was conceived and designed to cater to the various shopping needs of the aspiring people of Abuja. The product assortment of over 12,000 items were hand-picked by SPAR to meet the various needs of all consumers.

    He added that, “SPAR as a hypermarket brand, takes cognisance of the various kind of shopping missions and adapts its products and services in respect of choice, quality, service and value to translate the entire shopping experience into a World Class One.”

    Shoppers in Abuja can now experience the goodness of fresh products, food and groceries, fantastic meals, household goods and appliances, fashion and beauty items and lots more at the most competitive prices John Goldsmith said.

    SPAR rolled out amazing offers to create hype and excitement around the store launch. The First 500 customers that spent N3000 and above were rewarded with bag full of freebies.

  • SPAR opens new store in MMA2

    SPAR, the largest chain of hypermarket stores in Nigeria, has opened its new SPAR store at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Domestic Terminal II, known as MMA2 Terminal.

    SPAR in MMA2 stocks products, ranging from grocery, bakery, butchery, fruits and vegetables, hot meals, wine and spirits, fast-moving consumer goods, small home appliances, consumer electronics, mobile phones, laptops and tablets, perfumes, watches and jewellery.

    The Group Head, Human Resource (HR), for the Artee Group, franchisees of the SPAR International brand in Nigeria, Alhaji Kunle Hamzat, said: “SPAR store in MM2 was conceived and designed to cater to the air traffic passengers and employees working in and around the airport terminals and the residential areas adjacent to the airport terminals. The product assortment of over 5,200 items was hand-picked by SPAR to meet the various needs of all consumers.”

    He said SPAR has also added new items to its product offering such as ready-to-drink tea, coffee and chocolate, as well as hot beverages, pop corn and fresh juice to cater to the people on the move.

    SPAR as a hypermarket brand, takes cognizance of the various  shopping missions and adapts its products and services in respect of choice, quality, service and value to translate the entire shopping experience in to a world-class one.

    “SPAR is the only retail chain in Nigeria with shopper loyalty programme called SPAR Reward Card. The members of the programme enjoy reward points on every shopping. Shoppers accumulate the reward points, which can then be redeemed against purchase of any item from SPAR,” he said.

    He continued: “Reward Cards can be used in any SPAR store across Nigeria to earn and redeem reward points. SPAR plans to take the programme to a whole new level by introducing exclusive offers for Reward Card Programme members. The shoppers in MMA2 can enrol for the Reward Card programme from day one and start enjoying the exclusive benefits.”