SPAR is part of an acronym of a Dutch sentence that describes an award winning global concept that has delivered savings to millions of customers for more than 70 years. Founded in Holland in 1932 by Adriaan Van Well, SPAR is now the worlds largest supermarket chain, linking independent wholesalers and retailers in a collaboration designed to use collective purchasing power to offer the best deal to consumers. In 1932 Van Well called his new concept De Spar, Door Eendrachtig Samenwerken Profiteren Allen Regelmatig which translates into 'We all benefit from joint cooperation. SPAR became synonymous with Van Wells fir tree, still today the companys instantly recognisable logo.

SPAR moved beyond Holland in 1947, when Belgium adopted the concept, followed rapidly in the 1950s by a host of other European countries. Mr Van Well became the first president of International SPAR in 1953. The fast growth of the company continued over the next 20 years, with stores opening outside Europe for the first time in South Africa and Japan. Since 1985 SPAR has secured a presence in Eastern Europe and also in Argentina and Australia. The winning concept identified by Van Well more than 73 years ago continues to be relevant to todays sophisticated consumers. SPAR is now the worlds largest retail chain with 17,500 stores in 32 countries on 5 continents, employing over 180,000 people and with over Eur30bn in retail sales in 2000. It continues to develop its winning concept in new global markets.

SPAR is the worlds largest retail chain with 17,500 stores in 32 countries on five continents. It is the employer of choice for more than 180,000 people. This unique voluntary chain allows wholesalers and retailers to work together internationally under one name and to offer the best value to its customers by passing on savings. SPAR stores serve more than eight million customers a day across the world. In each country SPAR operates as an independent business within the SPAR network. International SPAR coordinates and shares joint learning and experience so that each SPAR in each country is at the leading edge in food retail and truly the brand of choice for millions. SPAR operations across the world have been recognised through numerous awards and accolades, proof that this winning concept works on the ground to deliver excellence to consumers. Through this unique partnership, the SPAR concept has turned this voluntary chain into the world's largest retail foodstore chain...

SPAR in Ireland

SPAR is Irelands largest chain of retail food stores. SPAR has been in Ireland since 1963 when four Irish wholesalers joined forces to adopt and develop the SPAR concept. Ten years later the four independent wholesalers became part of the public company BWG Foods Ltd, which owns and operates SPAR in Ireland today. With over 430 high quality and conveniently located outlets, SPAR is always there for you. Whether its local neighbourhood shopping, forecourt shopping in SPAR Express or family supermarket shopping in EUROSPAR, SPAR matches your lifestyle needs.

SPAR in Ireland is a permanent fixture on the landscape, used and trusted by millions as a trusted brand offering quality, friendly, caring service in modern professionally operated stores with competitive prices. SPAR is open early and open late and suits the busy lifestyle faced by the modern family. SPAR is part of the community and part of everyday life in Ireland.

To search Retail Franchises for sale in Ireland, please click the Home link above