SPAR Shandong is strengthening its presence in northern China by combining selective network growth with the refurbishment of existing stores.
The regional operator added two supermarkets, while also bringing several renovated locations back into operation.
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The new stores are SPAR Shandong Wendeng Kangye, which opened in August, and SPAR Shandong Bayinmengke Plaza, which began serving customers in September.
Both locations use SPAR’s latest store format, with ranges adapted to local shopping preferences.
Their layouts also focus on fresh food and food-to-go.
Store renewal has been another focus of the retailer’s recent activity.
In Jiaozhou, a SPAR supermarket at Longfor Tianjie reopened after redevelopment.
The store has more than 3,500m² of retail sales space and now offers an expanded range of products and departments.
Customers can purchase prepared meals, including roast chicken, fried skewers, and crispy duck, as well as baked products.
According to the company, the broader format is intended to meet a wide range of routine shopping needs in a single location.
SPAR Shandong has also completed upgrades at supermarkets in Weihai and Yantai.
“The supermarkets prioritise enhanced product assortments, improved shopping experience, and the introduction of additional departments, all with a modernised store design”, the company said in its statement.
SPAR began operating in China in 2004 after signing a licence agreement covering Shandong province.
The brand is now represented in northern and southern China by two core partners.
These privately owned retail groups operate under SPAR licences while cooperating to reduce costs, increase sales, and improve profitability.
The developments in China follow wider international expansion by the brand.
Elsewhere, SPAR entered the Icelandic retail sector in June by opening two supermarkets through a licensing agreement concluded between SPAR International and Icelandic firm Drangar hf.
That rollout followed an entry into North Macedonia in May, arranged via a licence agreement with Kosovo-based Viva Fresh Group, which established two retail outlets in Skopje trading under the Spar and INTERSPAR brands.
