Archive of all Spar articles
Spar UK is a symbol group with over 2,400 stores, many of which are independently owned and operated. It has a strong presence in forecourts and rural communities. The Grocer covers Spar with news, analysis, insight and opinion.
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NewsAF Blakemore, James Hall and CJ Lang bring Iceland into Spar
AF Blakemore, James Hall, and CJ Lang are behind the collaboration, with the ambition to bring the range to almost 2,000 stores over the coming months
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NewsCJ Lang rolls out Barista Bar loyalty app across Spar stores
The app enables customers to collect digital stamps with every purchase
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NewsAF Blakemore strikes deal for Appleby Westward
Under the agreement, AF Blakemore will acquire 71 of Appleby Westward’s company-owned stores
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NewsSV Wholesale brings viral ‘chocolate chicken’ imitation food concept to UK
Cluck-o-Late is Belgian chocolate shaped like a chicken drumstick, covered in crumbled caramel biscuit and filled with vanilla cream
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NewsSpar Malone Road wins Convenience Retailer of the Year at The Convenience Awards 2026
The judging panel praised the Malone Road store’s unbeatable proposition and community outreach
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NewsSpar Group edges closer to sale of Appleby Westward
The South African retail group said discussions over the disposal had advanced, with the transaction structure now substantially agreed
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InterviewsUK MD Michael Fletcher on how Spar is creating a ‘functional family’
Spar UK has suffered falls in sales and profits, and the Appleby Westward sale is stalling. But MD Michael Fletcher is confident in its key selling point
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NewsNichols grows energy drinks focus with Vimto Tropical Cooler
Vimto Energy Tropical Cooler Zero has rolled into Spar stores in plain 500ml (rsp: £1.59) and price-marked pack (£1.19) cans
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NewsAppleby Westward sale moving ‘slower than we’d like’, admits Spar Group CEO
Spar Group said an ‘active process to locate a buyer was ongoing’
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NewsEG On The Move triples Iceland concessions as frozen range drives 11% sales uplift
A 10-store pilot has been extended to 28 stores
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NewsCJ Lang sales up £2m thanks to focus on food to go and value
The Scottish Spar wholesaler said it showed resilience despite ‘one of the most challenging trading environments in recent memory’
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NewsCJ Lang’s ‘Spin into Spring’ campaign to drive sales and footfall with instant shopper rewards
The wholesaler, which supplies over 300 Spar stores across Scotland, said the Spin into Spring campaign will combine gamification, instant rewards and brand interaction to deliver “a fun and engaging shopping experience for customers”
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NewsEat17 partners with retail media company to champion local and challenger brands in stores
The media screens have gone live in its Walthamstow store and will be launching in Eat17’s Hackney site next month
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NewsAF Blakemore extends partnership with Relex into company-owned stores
AF Blakemore is now bringing Relex’s planning capabilities into the retail side of the business, helping to unify in-store planning
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NewsCJ Lang cuts tobacco prices to support retailers
The wholesaler, which distributes to over 300 Spar stores across Scotland, said the move was designed to strengthen retailer margin
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NewsSpar wholesaler Appleby Westward launches everyday low pricing campaign
Appleby Westward will be reducing the wholesale prices on approximately 100 lines, which will be locked in for 12 weeks per cycle
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Events & AwardsThe Grocer Gold Awards 2025: Hendersons wins Independent Retail Chain of the Year
Northern Irish Spar operator Henderson Retail has enjoyed an outstanding year – outpacing both local rivals and the wider UK grocery sector
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NewsHenderson Group reports 3.8% rise in turnover to £1.4bn
Henderson Group saw growth across both the independent stores it supplies and its company-owned estate
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NewsMcVitie’s brings Club into confectionery aisle with Layers Orange
The NPD is exclusive to Spar for three weeks
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NewsIceland partners with Spar wholesaler AF Blakemore for frozen food trial
Spar shoppers will get access to products from Iceland’s exclusive brand partnerships and its own-label range, thanks to an exclusive tie-up with wholesaler AF Blakemore