Spar opens supermarket in Malawi capital city
Malawi’s Vice President Dr Saulos Klaus Chilima recently officially opened the Spar City shop which will be run by Peoples Trading Centre (PTC), a subsidiary of conglomerate Press Corporation Limited (PCL) which has just acquired the Spar franchise.
Spar operates in 43 countries and has more than 12,300 shops across the 43 countries.
Chilima congratulated PCL for landing the franchise through PTC and challenged the company to strive to sustain high international standards associated with Spar shops internationally.
PCL Group Chief Executive for PCL Dr Matthews Chikaonda said the Spar franchise will help Peoples and help it to continue developing and leading the retail industry in Malawi.
Spar Malawi plans to open up to 10 more supermarkets and Express convenience stores in the country within the next five years.
According to Spar, the launch of the supermarket in the new Lilongwe Shopping Mall in the capital, Lilongwe, reflects the intention to expand into new territories on the African continent, as outlined in its expansion strategy.
The 1,690sq m store comprises several food departments including bakery, butchery, meat and delicatessen and has created 140 new jobs.
Locally sourced, fresh produce will be available to consumers in the store, as will a range of Spar private label products, sourced via a purchasing agreement with Spar Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Spar said the Malawi store has demonstrated its commitment to environmental sustainability with a modern, multiplex refrigeration system, which has been installed to drive down energy consumption by eliminating the need for geysers. Energy saving lamps have been also been fitted in all the offices.
In-store promotional and advertising material has been developed, introducing the slogan ‘Live Life Better’. Throughout the store, communication materials reflect the bold slogan matched with exciting imagery, said Spar.
Gordon Campbell, Spar International managing director, said: “Spar International continues to look for partners in other countries to bring the Spar format to millions more consumers. We have been working gradually to expand our footprint in the African continent.
“Spar Malawi has access to our best practice knowledge in international retailing, technical expertise and 75 years of international experience in 34 countries across four continents,” said Campbell.
“Malawi has a relatively undeveloped retail infrastructure, but it is expanding, and the production of fresh foods in the capital city enables retailers to offer good quality products at value prices.”
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A very useful addition to City Centre with good stock and fair prices!
This is nothing to celebrate about. PTC acquiring a franchise, means killing the PTC brand instead of building it and opening shops across the region. It’s a shame that the whole VP is gracing this sad occasion. How will Spar help generate forex? This south African shops import 95% of their stocks, which is a drain on forex. In addition, PTC will have to pay franchise fees, every year just for using the name Spar. This will be paid in Rands, further draining our hard earned forex. Another forecast draining business is Be Forward. It has pushed small Malawian vehicle… Read more »
Apa ndie mwatsindika, akusowa oganiza choncho. Ambuye akudalitseni.
I wish you had known who owned the first Spar Shop that was in Lilongwe and how it was being managed and the reasons it was closed. The owner was extravagant that he was failing to pay suppliers. It was owned by a foreigner for your information.
Mpakana the whole Vice President kukatsegulira shop?!?..?!
Amalawi….bwanji kodi? Wake up.!!
Spar was in Lilongwe and the closed shop. Did someone examined why they left before this partnership?
PTC has been in business for a long time. Instead of progressing the shops are going down. Why did PCL not just refinance PTC so that they do rebranding and open a better shop. Shame us because those in the key positions are only interested in their gains
THATS GOOD MOVE MR VICE PRESIDENT ITS PART OF JOB CREATION AS WELL KEEP IT UP
Ma elitists adzikagula ku spar ko. Ife tidzidya local. The man who grows our food doesn’t have to be in Durban. Anthu odziwa ananena kuti the man who grows his own food is like the man who prints his own currency. So idyani za ma carton ndi ma frigde ife tidzidya matemba. Welcome to Globalization .
Ayi. Izi ndi chitukuko cha ma Elitists A Ku Malawi. Just like shorite and all the global supermarkets. Anthu wamba akagulamo bread just because. AWONEMO. This is globalization at its early stages. All intelligent people should know that the man who grows his own food is like one who can print his own money JUST BECAUSE YOU CONTROL WHAT YOU EAT. Koma ayi Amalawi kukonda ma foreigners. ATI ZA KU MALAWI ZA LOW QUALITY. Local farmers might not produce the so called quality tomatoes but the most natural food is the one sold at a farmers market because it is… Read more »
The Kwacha is on a downward spiral , it’s depreciating at an alarming rate who is going to afford imported groceries other than all those devils who stole my taxes……..business as usual!
No 8 ( Jon) you are right. i have never seen rude staff like at Mzuzu Metro more and some have been they for years not being transferred more especially the ladies.