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SPAR

Social Responsibility

Social responsibility is at the heart of everything we do. 

SPAR volunteers litter picking

At SPAR we are proud to be part of the local communities in which we live and work. That’s why social responsibility is so important to everything that we do.

We join forces with our international Corporate Social Responsibility group and collectively around the UK. Together, we’ve devised a clear CSR strategy based on three key areas:

  • Health & wellbeing
  • Community
  • Sustainability

Health & well-being

We have a fantastic range of fresh, nutritionally balanced own brand products:

  • Over the last few years we have removed 168 tonnes of sugar from our soft drinks range and 2 tonnes of salt from crisps and snacks
  • 75% of our sandwich range is below 400 calories
  • 90% of our ready meal range is below 600 calories

We support national, regional and local sports activity including British Athletics, Scottish Women’s Football, Disability Sports Wales, Lancashire School Sports, Somerset Cricket Club, Belfast Marathon, Omagh Half Marathon and the Belfast Giants ice hockey team. We also support local communities by providing over 1,000 sports day kits for stores to allocate to their local school.

Communities

Your local community is at the heart of everything we do. From stocking the products they need, to providing helpful services and supporting charitable causes. And of course, ensuring the highest possible standards of health and safety when shopping in-store. We care about our customers ensuring that social distancing is easily implemented and we make defibrillators available to stores too.

Through our retailer marketing support we provide community-driven campaigns and clear communications to drive that sense of togetherness in your store. We can help you to connect with your communities digitally too.

Sustainability

We know that protecting the planet for the future is important to our customers and retailers. We are committed to reducing the amount of plastic we use and ensuring packaging is recyclable wherever possible.

So far, we have:

  • Increased recycled plastic content in packaging – removed over 283 tonnes of virgin plastic from 53 products
  • Prevented over 113 tonnes of black plastic going to landfill 
  • Put recycling information on SPAR Own Brand products

We’ll help you reduce food waste by signing up to food waste apps such as Gander and Too Good To Go or working closely with local food banks. Find out more here.

SPAR Scotland wins the Symbol Group Community Initiative of the Year at the Scottish Local Retailer Awards 2022

Sports sponsorship keeps SPAR front of mind

SPAR has a long tradition of sports sponsorship having sponsored European Athletics for 20 years as well as supporting a variety of sports across the UK from the Women's FA in Scotland to the Somerset Cricket Club. As well as keeping the SPAR brand front of mind with your shoppers, our sports sponsorship is a great way for you to connect with local communities – whether that’s through sponsorship of European Athletics, regional sports partnerships or even support of local school sports days.

Giving back to your community with fundraising support

Over the years, SPAR has raised millions for multiple charities and local causes. Join us in supporting Marie Curie, a national charity supporting those suffering with terminal illness. So far we are proud to have raised a staggering £1.8 million since 2018. We’ll provide simple fundraising ideas your shoppers and staff will love. Plus tailor-made solutions for your individual store activities and events, so you can support your community and causes.

JOIN SPAR TODAY

SPAR offers all the support you need to succeed. Find out more about the many benefits joining SPAR brings and register your interest.

Own A Store & Join SPAR today

SPAR is the symbol group in the UK supported by five regional distribution centres.

Celebrating 10 years of consecutive growth, today more convenience store shoppers consider SPAR stores as a destination to purchase their groceries ahead of other symbol groups (YouGov Shopper Research Q1 2020).

SPAR offers all the support you need to succeed. Read more about the many benefits joining SPAR brings...