SPAR UK’s retail sales figures for 2016 grew by 8.5% to £2.84 billion, thanks to a surge of retailers joining the SPAR model, a fresh marketing approach, and a strong focus on foodservice.

The retailer added 186 new stores last year to bring numbers to 2,620, with a total retail area of 371,189m2, and sales per m2 up by 4.2%.

SPAR is now also the largest forecourt retailer in the UK, with significant growth coming from multi-site retail partners in 2016.

These results see SPAR UK land in third position in SPAR International’s global retail sales.

SPAR UK managing director, Debbie Robinson, said: “SPAR UK is in a fantastic financial position, proving ourselves to be a strong, stable long-term partner to both our retailers and international colleagues. We continue to take a more personal approach with our customers ensuring we have the right products and services.

“Our experience, knowledge of the market and the consumer sets us apart in times when others are finding the marketplace challenging. Our partnership approach and collaborative model provides retail businesses with huge opportunities to grow.”

SPAR UK’s success can be attributed to its wide range of customer-focused initiatives that are exactly what today’s convenience shoppers are looking for, said Robinson.

She added: “Our Daily Deli foodservice offering, more fresh food including butchery and deli counters, and our award-winning SPAR Brand range are just some of the reasons shoppers now see us as a go-to destination for great-tasting, fresh food.”

“We have also boosted our digital advertising and targeted our promotions at younger shoppers, which has been really well received, and have been recognised repeatedly over the year with industry awards,” said Robinson.

Ms Robinson said: “Being part of the unique partnership with SPAR International gives us the edge in retail, making us a global organisation delivered locally, often through family businesses, and always with passion and integrity,” said Robinson.

“SPAR is a family-owned business with 60 years’ operating in the UK, while staying modern and relevant for the shoppers of today – putting us in an ideal position for the future,” she concluded.