![Chikaonda and Chilima at the launch of SPAR]()
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.
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![Chikaonda and Chilima at the launch of SPAR]()
Chikaonda and Chilima at the launch of SPAR[/caption]
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![Chilima performing the official opening of SPAR]()
Chilima performing the official opening of SPAR[/caption]
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![Chiku Kaphuka, the markerting Manager for PTC who was directing the ceremony]()
Chiku Kaphuka, the markerting Manager for PTC who was directing the ceremony[/caption]
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![Chilima being showed Spar city shop]()
Chilima being showed Spar city shop[/caption]
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![PCL Group Chief Executive Dr Matthews Chikaonda (right) at the Spar]()
PCL Group Chief Executive Dr Matthews Chikaonda (right) at the Spar[/caption]
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.”