In second half of 2016, SPAR International granted an exclusive licence to Malta Retailing Ltd, a member of the Azzopardi Group, to operate the SPAR Brand in Malta. The first SPAR store was officially opened on 12 June 2018 in Marsaxlokk in the south-east of the country. SPAR Malta aims at becoming one of the leading retail brands on the island with a strong focus on utilising the success of SPAR Own Brand products; not only making them available to local customers but also developing the range in accordance with their specific needs.
The launch was marked with a ceremony where the store’s opening was warmly welcomed by the town’s Mayor, residents of Marsaxlokk and the media. The newly refurbished 340 m² store offers customers the newly launched SPAR Bakery Concept, a delicatessen, a large range of fresh produce, a coffee offering, freshly packed fish and meats, as well as a large selection of SPAR Own Brand products.
The second SPAR Malta store, Tigne, is set to open at the end of June in the town of Sliema, in the centre of the island. Plans are in place to open three subsequent stores before the end of 2018, with the aim of opening a total of 23 stores by 2025, including two INTERSPAR Hypermarkets, four large-format SPAR Supermarkets, and 17 SPAR neighbourhood stores. Beyond the consistent tourist population, Malta is home to a well-established international resident population. The different SPAR Malta store formats will cater to the diverse needs of both the resident and tourist populations throughout the country.
SPAR International will support the Azzopardi Group with store design and layout plans, employee training and development, and the sourcing of own brand products from international and regional partners.
Entry into Malta demonstrates SPAR’s ongoing expansion in the Southern European region. Neighbouring the strong SPAR presence in Italy, with over 1,210 stores, and the burgeoning markets of Greece and Cyprus, SPAR Malta will consistently deliver high-quality SPAR Own Brand products along with fresh local produce to the new Maltese retail market.
Tobias Wasmuht, Managing Director of SPAR International said: “I am delighted SPAR is partnering with the Azzopardi Group in Malta. In addition to having strong retail and distribution expertise and deep knowledge of the market, the Azzopardi Group also shares our SPAR values with a dedication to fresh produce, value and excellent customer service.”
Wasmuht also noted “With a significant international and tourist population which is already familiar with SPAR, Malta is a great market for SPAR to develop. This launch marks another significant milestone for SPAR strengthening our operations in Southern Europe and in the Eurozone aligned with our expansion strategy.”
Speaking about the launch, Joseph Azzopardi, Managing Director of the Azzopardi Group said: “We are proud and excited to be partnering with such a well-known and respected organisation as SPAR International. SPAR’s global presence and high standards in retail best practice will complement the Azzopardi Group’s local expertise in the Maltese retail market. Together we will offer customers high-quality produce and a superior retail experience, as well as job opportunities and growth of the local retail market.”
The Azzopardi Group was founded by two brothers in 1980. The Group works across a number of sectors in Malta including food import and distribution, food retail, aquaculture and property development. The company currently operates 25 stores on the Maltese Islands with a turnover of €25 million. Its strong local knowledge in infrastructure, warehousing, logistics and retail capabilities will help it effectively develop SPAR in the Maltese market. The Azzopardi Group is also a corporate leader in local social responsibility activities, involved in charitable partnerships and community initiatives throughout the country.