Système U stops the systematic printing of receipts

By the 6^th of May, all U stores will systematically ask their customers whether or not they want their receipt and payment receipt printed. Customers with the U card will either receive dematerialized tickets by e-mail or directly in their customer area on the retailers app. Each year, over 1,2 million reels, 110.192 kilometres of paper, are used for receipts. The gradual disappearance of the latter thus meets an ecological objective (limiting the use and waste of paper) and public health (the thermal paper used contains chemical substances). Based on feedback from pilot stores, Système U has observed that on average, 40% of customers do not want a printed receipt, if asked. Based on this rate, 44.077 kilometres of paper would be saved each year – a little more than the earth’s circumference!

Système U offers more than 230.000 € of food and hygiene products to young people

Throughout the month of March, Système U deployed the Student Solidarity Fidelity operation to strengthen its support for young people hard hit by the health crisis and raised a total of 232.838 euros. For every 100 checkouts by customers having the loyalty card, the brand released one euro. The amount collected will be used for the distribution of food and hygiene products in the regions, in cooperation with student organisations which will participate in the selection of the products and their distribution. Système U also created in September 2020 its own apprenticeship training centre (CFA) and adhered to the “1 young person, 1 solution” plan initiated by the French government. Thanks to these commitments, Système U plans to train 2.500 apprentices and work-study trainees among the 10.000 people it intends to recruit in 2021.

SPAR partners with Gander to fight food waste

Gander offers SPAR a real-time, automated mobile platform that helps food stores sell more close-to-expiry date, discounted food products. SPAR’s partnership with Gander will play a crucial role in reducing food waste by creating greater visibility of discounted products to consumers and offering shoppers more value. The Gander platform will enable retailers to automatically display to shoppers, in real-time, all reduced-to-clear food on the shelves within their local SPAR store. Participating SPAR retailers can help customers make significant savings and reduce food waste by purchasing the price-reduced products available each day. Working together, SPAR and Gander will take into account market differences during the initial adoption phase, building on the learnings available from SPAR retailers already using the system. These strategic partnerships with Gander and Too Good To Go reflect SPAR’s commitment to reducing the impact of food waste on the environment and the execution of the brand’s tiered strategy targeting this issue at all levels.  

SPAR International supporting local producers

SPAR International is committed to integrating sustainable practices across its strategy with a view to accelerating a fair, healthy and environmentally friendly food system and circular economy. 

SPAR operators encourage the creation of sustainable products in line with their responsible retailing goals and strive to collaborate with small-scale producers. For example, SPAR Slovenia’s start-up initiative 'Start It Up! Slovenia' champions innovative local entrepreneurs by encouraging them to develop new products and expand into new markets. The project has traditionally attracted many manufacturers of eco-friendly and healthy products. Both SPAR Croatia and SPAR Hungary have followed suit with their 'Start Up Croatia' and 'Hungaricool by SPAR' campaigns, which seek to promote small entrepreneurs. SPAR Hungary is also part of the nation’s ‘Buy domestic! Support domestic!’ campaign.

Elsewhere, SPAR Austria promotes its Young & Urban range which enables 35 Austrian start-ups to sell over 400 innovative products in diverse segments to consumers. This initiative brings together imaginative young entrepreneurs who benefit from SPAR Austria’s expertise in bringing products to market.

Extensive programmes to source from local producers are in place across SPAR markets as diverse as Gran Canaria, Spain, Norway and the United Kingdom.

By utilising our strong position for local sourcing, SPAR globally supports local producers with long-term stability and access to market.