Success stories shared at SPAR Transform retail event

More than 500 delegates were joined by 45 suppliers at James Hall & Co’s ‘SPAR Transform’ retail event.

Held at the Harrogate Convention Centre, SPAR Transform featured business updates, a tradeshow and social activity in one day for the first time.

Tobias Wasmuht, managing director of SPAR International, was the keynote speaker.

Tobias Wasmuht, managing director of SPAR International, was the keynote speaker of the morning session, and attendees heard a succession of SPAR retailer case studies, which highlighted transformed food-to-go sections, category expansion, sales performance, promotional activity, and store development.

In addition, James Hall & Co’s G&E Murgatroyd company-owned stores division joined SPAR independent retailers to share best practice. This included improved in-store administration efficiencies through utilisation of platforms such as Zebra Reflexis and a focus on the success of Q-commerce in G&E with Deliveroo and Just Eat.

A spotlight was shone on SPAR own brand and having a greater presence of these products in store, with a new range of 24 SPAR International lines now available to SPAR North of England retailers. There was also a fresh product launch in the form of Clayton Park Bakery individual cheesecakes and tiramisus.

During the afternoon exhibition, breakout sessions were hosted by key suppliers, and a brand showcase included a SPAR Wine Bar hosted by Philippa Carr MW as well as a Cheeky Coffee Lounge.

Leftover stock from the event was donated to Harrogate Foodbank.

Wasmuht commented: “I was delighted to attend SPAR Transform and to engage with SPAR North of England retailers, many of whom have been long-standing advocates of SPAR.

“James Hall & Co are deeply entrenched within the communities of Northern England and are founding members of the SPAR brand in the UK.

“SPAR North of England retailers enjoy the benefit of superb knowledge and expertise, world-class logistics, and industry-leading own production, and it was very pleasing to hear so many SPAR retailers are prospering in convenience, which is a winning channel in the UK market.”

Peter Dodding, sales director of James Hall & Co and chairman of the SPAR Northern Guild, added: “This year we completely revamped our retail event, giving it a much larger platform. The feedback from everyone who attended has been outstanding, and enormous thanks go to our suppliers for generously supporting the event.

“It was fantastic to have Tobias Wasmuht join us for the occasion, and his presentation really drove home the value of being in the SPAR family with a global but local brand.

“With colleagues from our G&E Murgatroyd company-stores division and our valued independent retailers, it really was a celebration of SPAR, an opportunity to strengthen the brand by working better together and support the building of customer loyalty through the entire SPAR proposition.”