The 2023 SPAR Australia Trade Show was held from 10-12 August at the Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre. 
SPAR continues to build on its ‘Better Together’ strategy and has cemented its Community Partnership Foundation program throughout the network. The spirit of partnership is the founding ethos between SPAR Australia, its retailers, and suppliers.
“When we all work together, we are a stronger and successful force in the independent supermarket industry,” says SPAR Australia Managing Director Lou Jardin.
“The execution of SPAR’s key sales strategies is integral in achieving positive results in this extremely competitive retail environment and building a value statement to our customers,” he said.
“We continue to work on improving the network’s performance, growing sales, and a stronger bottom line for our retailers. It’s about creating the perfect customer experience through store development, keeping up with market trends and re-investing in our stores.”
SPAR’s role in the independent retail landscape is vital, providing choice for retailers and ensuring competition in the sector.
At the welcome dinner, SPAR Chief Operations Officer Mark McGuinness welcomed retailers and suppliers and provided an outline of the evening’s events.
Mr Jardin spoke about the last 13 years and the progress of SPAR Australia. He presented the Loyalty Bonus program which has been running for the past 11 years, rewarding branded stores for their continued loyalty to both the SPAR Warehouse and to the SPAR Brand. This year another $558,869 was presented to retailers, bringing the total to $3,884,913 since the program was launched.
Gala Awards recognise successful independent retailers
Celebrating another successful Trade Show, the SPAR Australia annual Gala Awards Dinner was held at the Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre.
Retailers, suppliers as well as the Directors and staff of SPAR Australia joined to celebrate the achievements of SPAR Retailers over the last year.
Held on 12 August, the Gala Awards Dinner was hosted by Ali Plath, Breakfast Radio Announcer for Triple M Gold Coast.
The evening commenced with the presentation of the Little SPAR Award. SPAR Australia acknowledged the English family from SPAR Malanda, another true hero of the SPAR family and the independent industry.
Mr Lou Jardin said, “The English Family are worthy recipients of the ‘Little Award’ given to those who have made a significant contribution to SPAR.
“SPAR Australia congratulates Michael and Jeff for their continued support and contribution to SPAR Australia.”
The Store of the Year awards were presented by Mr Jardin, Mr McGuinness and SPAR Guild Council Deputy Chair Dimitri Spyrakis.
SPAR congratulates the following retailers on their success in their respective categories:
- SPAR Store of the Year 2023 – SPAR Lismore
- SPAR Express Store of the Year 2023 – SPAR Express Oxenford.
SPAR Australia’s Retail Awards Program identifies and recognises retailers who are excelling in their businesses.
“The past 12 months again has seen a record amount of stores re-investing in their businesses, mainly thanks to the contribution of funds they received through the SPAR Loyalty Bonus program,” Mr Jardin said.
The Department awards were presented by Mr Jardin. The following retailers were acknowledged for their success in the Department Awards:
- SPAR Grocery Award – SPAR Ballina
- SPAR Express Grocery Award – SPAR Express Terrigal
- Dairy / Freezer Award – SPAR Urunga
- Fresh Food Award – SPAR Carina
- Food To Go Award – SPAR Express Oxenford.
SPAR Australia presented the Store Manager of the year Award. “This person has been the leading force in building the SPAR brand in their local community.”
- SPAR Store Manager Award – Luke Hanlon, SPAR Maclean.
The Community/Partnership/Foundation (CPF) Award was presented and awarded to a retailer who has embraced the CPF concept and is an example for the rest of the network to follow. “The aim of CPF is to improve the retail culture throughout the group, the store’s local community, and for the SPAR Brand to become first choice for independent retailers.”
- SPAR Community/Partnership/Foundation Award – SPAR Winton.
In addition to the awards presented to retailers, three suppliers were recognised for their exhibitor stands at the Trade Show.
“SPAR congratulates the following suppliers on their success in the stand awards and thanks them for the effort they put into the event,” Mr Jardin said. These awards were presented by SPAR Australia National Merchandise Manager Colin Dwyer.
- Small Supplier Stand 2023 – Warwick Meats
- Medium Supplier Stand 2023 – So Soda
- Large Supplier Stand 2023 – Tip Top Bakeries.
“SPAR Australia congratulates all retailers who were nominated in the 2023 SPAR Retail Awards and made the judging process an extremely competitive one,” he said.
Since becoming Managing Director of SPAR Australia in December 2010, Mr Jardin has vowed to continue to provide competition at the wholesale level, ensuring independent Retailers are able to source deals that allow them to compete in the market and ensure the survival of family businesses in the grocery industry.
Locally owned and operated, SPAR stores are part of the worldwide SPAR family. Over 13,900 SPAR stores in over 48 countries across four continents meet the needs of over 14.7 million customers daily. At SPAR, customers can be assured of great service, a great range, low prices every day and specials that will save them money.
Read the full coverage in Convenience World September issue.
