2013-02-14 16:24:21 - Fast Market Research recommends "SPAR | Verdict Company Briefing" from Verdict Research, now available

SPAR has seen a turbulent few years since the downturn in 2008. UK sales grew by 28.6% in 2009, declined by 6.4% in 2010 before a more modest increase of 4.3% in 2011. Store numbers have fluctuated too as the symbol retailer sees high levels of member turnover thanks to competitive packages offered by its rivals. We investigate the future for SPAR in the ever competitive convenience market.

Scope of this Report

* Benchmark your performance in food & grocery with detailed key performance indicators across sales and space data for SPAR
* Benchmark your performance in food & grocery with detailed key performance indicators across sales and space data for SPAR
* Plan your expansion strategy by understanding how and

where SPAR has increased its store portfolio, and the impact this has had on densities
* Discover the impact of UK store closures and the influence of rival symbol groups with detailed market shares and analysis of grocery sales


Full Report Details at
- www.fastmr.com/prod/538271_spar_|_verdict_company_briefing.aspx


Report Highlights

In January 2013 SPAR introduced Amazon collection lockers into nine of its stores, and plans to roll this out further across its portfolio. While the move does little to indicate a multichannel offer from SPAR itself, it will allow the retailer to benefit from increased footfall and distress purchases from shoppers collecting and returning parcels.

SPAR suffers from price competition from larger rivals and has set out to address this with its S Budget range, which it is rolling out across major European markets. The diffuse nature of the organisation across many national markets, each with its own needs and tastes, and the independent ownership of many stores makes this is a difficult task.

During 2012, SPAR expanded its SPAR Express format to new forecourt locations in Austria in partnership with Shell Austria. 13 opened between August and November 2012, with 16 more to follow by the end of the year. The stores carry around 1,800 lines and focus on bread and bakery goods, locally sourced fruit and vegetables and convenience ranges.

Reasons to Get this Report

* How will SPAR's food & grocery sales grow in 2013, and what impact will this have on market share
* What are SPAR's plans for expansion over the coming years, and how will this contribute to sales growth
* What impact will store closures have on SPAR's food & grocery market shares and what does it need to do to recover

Report Table of Contents:

OVERVIEW

* Introduction
* Summary

* Too reliant on crisis-hit European market;
* Emerging markets like Russia and China could make up for this;
* Sales strong in 2011 but could suffer in 2012 and 2013;
* Must make more of group synergies in buying and other areas.

SPAR

* Verdict outlook

* Growth stymied by economic situation in Western Europe
* Developing markets offer hope
* Benefits from shopping trends
* Pricing remains a problem
* Multiple formats and local flexibility not only a strength but also create difficulties

* Recent key events

* Grows fast in newer markets

* Proposition
* Financials

* Rapid rise in sales due to store expansion, own label and new franchisees
* Current trading

* Space

* Space expands while store numbers contract

* UK food & grocery performance

* Will be hit by store closures
* Market shares

METHODOLOGY

* Verdict company briefing
* Financial information

* Market size calculation
* Sales density calculation

* Further reading
* Global Retail FreeView
* Ask the analyst
* Disclaimer

TABLES

* Table: SPAR company information 2012
* Table: SPAR global retail proposition 2012
* Table: SPAR global key operating statistics 2008–13e
* Table: SPAR UK key operating statistics 2007–12e
* Table: SPAR trading record 2003–13e
* Table: SPAR global store portfolio 2003 − 13

FIGURES

* Figure: SPAR fascia 2012
* Figure: SPAR express 2012
* Figure: SPAR group sales and growth to December 2008–13e
* Figure: SPAR food & grocery sales (incl VAT) for calendar years 2008e–13e
* Figure: SPAR food & grocery sales per sq ft for calendar years 2008e–13e
* Figure: SPAR share of market held by food & grocery retailers 2008–13e
* Figure: SPAR share of market for food & grocery products 2008–13e

About Verdict Group

With over 20 years' experience, Verdict Research is the UK?s leading authority on retailing, and publishes unrivalled independent analysis. Verdict reports, forecasts, briefings, consumer research and bespoke consulting services provide clients with a complete picture of the UK and international retail arena, helping retailers, manufacturers, service suppliers, city analysts and consultants to fully exploit opportunities within the sector. View more research from Verdict Research at www.fastmr.com/catalog/publishers.aspx?pubid=1005

About Fast Market Research

Fast Market Research is an online aggregator and distributor of market research and business information. We represent the world's top research publishers and analysts and provide quick and easy access to the best competitive intelligence available.

For more information about these or related research reports, please visit our website at www.fastmr.com or call us at 1.800.844.8156.