{"id":2835,"date":"2019-10-24T14:52:27","date_gmt":"2019-10-24T12:52:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thespargroup.com\/ir2019\/who-we-are\/introducing-spar\/"},"modified":"2019-12-23T12:37:40","modified_gmt":"2019-12-23T10:37:40","slug":"introducing-spar","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/thespargroup.com\/ir2019\/who-we-are\/introducing-spar\/","title":{"rendered":"Introducing SPAR"},"content":{"rendered":"
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SPAR is a warehousing and distribution business striving to provide our independent retailers and their customers with the freshest produce and highest quality merchandise at the right price, every day. <\/p> \r\n\r\n

The SPAR Group Ltd (SPAR) operates mainly in South Africa, Ireland and Switzerland. We serve a network of independent retailers who trade under our brands and are supplied through our distribution centres on a voluntary basis.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

We are a member of SPAR International which granted SPAR its South African licence in 1963. This has grown to include several country licences for the SPAR retail brand. Today, we service 17 kinds of store formats in 14 countries, each with their network of distribution centres.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Of our turnover, 32.1% is generated in foreign currency. We have significant operations in South Africa, Ireland (which includes South West England) and Switzerland, with smaller business interests in Sri Lanka and Zambia. We own SPAR licences for Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique and Angola, serviced through our South African distribution centres. <\/p>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n

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\"\"<\/span> SPAR IN SOUTH AFRICA, IRELAND AND SWITZERLAND<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

We operate under the same brand in each territory and according to the same principles. However, our approach and markets are different. <\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

For example, we have eight distribution centres in South Africa, two in Ireland and one in Switzerland. <\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Read more about the dynamics, opportunities and performance of each geographic area here<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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WHO IS SPAR INTERNATIONAL?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

SPAR is the world\u2019s leading voluntary food retail chain. The business started with one Dutch store in 1932 and is now present in 48 countries with over 246 distribution centres that serve 13.5 million customers every day from more than 13 100 stores. This makes SPAR International the biggest independent supermarket retail network in the world.<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

SPAR International is the owner and licensor of the SPAR brand. Read more about SPAR International here<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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WHO OWNS SPAR?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

SPAR is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in the food and drug retailers sector. <\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

We have a broad shareholder base, with 2.03% of shareholders owning fewer than 1 000 shares and no single shareholder owning more than 16.69% of the total shares. At 30 September 2019, 38.58% of our shares were held by offshore investors. <\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Our share register is managed by Link Market Services and our live share price is available here<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Download<\/a> the fact sheet with an analysis of ordinary shareholders as at 30 September 2019.<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\t\r\n\t\r\n

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OUR PURPOSE, VISION, VALUES AND STRATEGY<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

Our purpose and vision direct us to play a bigger role in communities and emphasise our culture of caring. Read more about how we developed our strategy, how we are progressing with its implementation and about our future opportunities here<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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LEARN MORE ABOUT THE GUILDS IN SOUTH AFRICA<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

Each SPAR region in South Africa is governed by a guild.<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

Download<\/a> the guild fact sheet<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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WE DO BUSINESS BY MEANS OF A VOLUNTARY TRADING MODEL<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

SPAR\u2019s relationship with independent retailers is shaped by the rules of the voluntary trading model. <\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

Download<\/a> the fact sheet about SPAR International and the voluntary trading model.<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t

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OUR ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE <\/h2>\r\n\r\n

SPAR consists of several subsidiaries and investments in associates and joint ventures. Details about these are provided in notes 14 and 15 of the full annual financial statements<\/a>. The main elements of our organisational structure are set out below.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

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