It’s official! SPAR Eastern Cape’s retail and TOPS liquor stores are two of Gqeberha consumers’ favourite brands.
SPAR, which boasts 228 stores in the province – was voted the city’s favourite supermarket and alcohol outlet in the Readers’ Choice competition run by the PE Express community newspaper.
Readers were asked to nominate their favourite brands in the “Bay’s Finest” business competition. By entering, they stood a chance to win a share of R20 000.
SPAR EC advertising manager Roseann Shadrach said the Group, which celebrated three decades in the province last year, was honoured and humbled to be named best in the city by the publication’s community.
“Thank you doesn’t even come close to expressing how we feel about being your number one! Your vote proves to us that our culture of caring doesn’t go unnoticed,” she said.
“This is the ultimate affirmation, as the results did not come from consumer insight groups but from the readers themselves.”
Since the start of the year, regular price surveys by SPAR EC have revealed the Group to be either cheaper or on par with its competitors.
Shadrach said that at some point there had been a perception that SPAR was more expensive, but the survey results showed it was not the case at all.
This was further corroborated by the outcome of the Readers’ Choice competition.
“At SPAR, we reiterate the message that we are the first-choice brand in the communities we serve,” Shadrach said.
“It is front of mind, which is why from the time customers enter one of our stores until they leave our staff will always be there to greet them and offer help.”
SPAR has always put a premium on customer service, emphasising to employees that going the extra mile does pay off.
Whether it is sourcing quality produce, freshly baked goods, top-grade meat or staff taking a personal interest in customers’ needs, people come first.
Products are tested by an independent laboratory each month to ensure the Group stays ahead of brand standards. So confident is it in its quality that customers are even offered a double money-back guarantee on all SPAR-brand products.
The family retailer has also become a serious player in the online shopping space with its SPAR2U offering. The app enjoys a strong support base that grows by the day.
Shadrach said being named top supermarket and liquor store brand in the Friendly City was also representative of customers’ appreciation of this burgeoning online service.
“It shows we are relevant both in-store and online and we will always deliver on what we say.”
SPAR was founded in The Netherlands and expanded to South Africa in 1963.
Its model of independent ownership is unique, while it offers more than 1 000 exclusive products under the SPAR brand across its 2 500 outlets in the country. Sourcing from local suppliers is also a big part of its mantra.
Additionally, SPAR is heavily involved in sport and community initiatives.
These include the annual SPAR Women’s Challenge road running series, sponsorship of the Proteas netball team and a partnership with the National Prosecuting Authority’s Thuthuzela Care Centres that help victims of gender-based violence.
