AMSTERDAM – SPAR Netherlands recently opened three new stores of two different formats: a SPAR City store and two new SPAR Express stores, one of which is the first SPAR Express store to open along a highway.

The two new SPAR Express stores, one in Tilburg and the other in Heemskerk, were opened at the beginning of November and bring a new convenience offering to these two Dutch towns located in the South and North of the country, respectively.

The SPAR Express format was introduced to the Netherlands at the beginning of 2017 in partnership with the EG Group, the operating company of Texaco service stations. After three successful pilots on non-highway locations, two other SPAR convenience stores have been added. These two stores are high traffic locations and Heemskerk is the first one to open along a main highway.

The product range at both stores focuses on grab-and-go items complemented by sandwiches, meals, salads and soups for take-away. The in-store offering is based on learnings from other SPAR countries where the format has been a great success.

After the successful launch of the first SPAR City store in Breda in August 2016, a second store has now opened. SPAR City stores offer an extensive range of fresh and convenience products including freshly prepared baguettes, sandwiches, fruit salads, croissants, fresh juices and coffee. The Breda location also boasts an extensive selection of meal deals for a quick breakfast, healthy lunch or easy dinner.

SPAR sees room for more than 100 SPAR City stores in the Netherlands. The first City store was opened in October 2010 in Rotterdam and it’s anticipated that by the end of 2017, the milestone of 50 SPAR City stores will be reached.