Austria SPAR International AG
The success story of ASPIAG (Austria SPAR International AG) is based on an innovative, dynamic corporate culture. Since 1990, SPAR country organizations in North-East Italy, Slovenia, Hungary and Croatia have been established and expanded in a goal-oriented manner. In the meantime, the number of shops in Austria's neighbouring countries has grown to almost 1,400 locations.
The ASPIAG Countries
The long and successful market presence of the independent national SPAR organisations guarantees the highest level of competence and individual orientation towards the different needs of the customers. The cooperation and exchange of information between the individual SPAR countries with ASPIAG and SPAR Austria is intensive. Together they are on the way to becoming a sustainably successful Central European retail group.
Cross-border activities and cooperation optimize the appearance of the successful SPAR and INTERSPAR business types. A uniform organizational and project structure binds synergies and strengthens the competitive position.
The History of ASPIAG
Since its foundation in the 1950s, the SPAR retail chain has achieved a significant market position in Austria. Even in its early days, SPAR set new standards: SPAR was the first retail company to introduce innovative marketing ideas, was a pioneer in product range diversity and invested in modern logistics. From the very beginning, SPAR successfully cultivated the market, both through independent retailers and an efficient branch network.
By the 1990s, SPAR Austria had grown into one of the most important companies with six regional wholesale centres, a central warehouse and successful production facilities. About 1,500 SPAR and INTERSPAR locations ensure local supply. With more than 43,000 employees, SPAR will be Austria's largest private employer in 2019 and with more than 2,200 apprentices also Austria's largest private apprentice trainer. The additional business area of shopping centers has also been gradually expanded.
"The ASPIAG is committed to the respective national economies and wants to make important contributions to the development of the countries through its activities."
KR Hans Drexel († 20.11.2013)
founded 1990 the ASPIAG
At the beginning of the 1990s SPAR is strongly established on the Austrian market and a forward-looking strategic decision initiates expansion into neighbouring countries. ASPIAG, headquartered in Widnau (Switzerland), is founded as the foreign subsidiary of SPAR Austria. Its task is to continue the Austrian success story in neighbouring countries.
With competence and foresighted action, the ASPIAG team remains on a dynamic expansion course. Almost 1,400 SPAR and INTERSPAR locations in the independent national organizations in North-East Italy, Slovenia, Hungary and Croatia have been established by the end of 2019. Until 2014 SPAR was also represented in the Czech Republic.
The core tasks of the ASPIAG
ASPIAG is the management and holding company of the SPAR national organisations in North-East Italy, Slovenia, Hungary and Croatia. SPAR is now a top international retail brand in all countries. The ASPIAG team creates the necessary, sustainable conditions for this.
In many cases SPAR / INTERSPAR is a pioneer and innovation driver for its customers. In addition to the very successfully introduced business types such as SPAR City, SPAR 2000 and SPAR to Go, we are working on permanent further development in order to be as attractive as possible for consumers at their individual locations.
The keys to success are innovative store formats and a clear differentiation from competitors. The ASPIAG team organizes the comprehensive transfer of know-how across national borders and supports the management in the respective countries in operational matters with guidance and advice.
Strategic Goals
The declared aim of ASPIAG is to further strengthen the SPAR brand in the individual countries. The basis of its daily work is a clearly formulated, future-oriented strategy:
- Organization
Establishment of independent country organisations with strong local management. - Market penetration
Continuous expansion of market shares through expansion and multiplication of successful operating types. - Strategic alliances
Entering into strategic alliances to achieve the best possible market penetration. - Synergy
Use of all synergies within the entire SPAR Austria Group and implementation of efficient organisational structures. - Customers
Country-specific, consistent orientation towards regional customers. - Suppliers
Long-term partnerships with regional, national and international suppliers for mutual benefit. - Employees
Offensive, employee-oriented corporate management, in which value is placed on continuous training and individual performance. - Innovation
High willingness to innovate in all areas. - Assortment
High assortment competence for the full exploitation of market potential. - Responsibility
Awareness of social responsibility in economic, ecological and social matters.
The pillars of ASPIAG are the internationally experienced managing directors Robert Spiegel (delegate of the board of directors) and Karl Bumberger (member of the management). Together with their team, they ensure the transnational transfer of know-how, advise the management in all operational matters and ensure the professional development and adaptation of the business types to regional specifics.
Sales Development in the ASPIAG Countries
Accumulated sales figures of the ASPIAG countries North-East Italy, Slovenia, Hungary and Croatia.
In the four ASPIAG countries North-East Italy, Slovenia, Hungary and Croatia, sales are growing continuously. The 2019 financial year was also closed with a significant increase in revenues. At 1,384 locations, sales revenues of 5.99 billion euros were achieved, which corresponds to a growth rate of + 6.0 percent. ASPIAG, together with its foreign organisations, is working with great commitment on the positive expansion of this development in the current financial year as well.
Employees of the ASPIAG countries
SPAR in North-East Italy, Slovenia, Hungary and Croatia employs more than 37,000 people (as of 31 December 2019). The highly trained, motivated employees are the source of SPAR's success: their high level of competence and customer orientation make a significant contribution to the positive development of the company.
Thanks to rapid expansion, thousands of new, modern and attractive jobs have been created in recent years. SPAR is therefore an important economic engine.
Ongoing training & innovative apprentice training
Particular importance is attached to permanent further training. In ongoing training courses, the focus is on optimising the customer and sales orientation of the employees. Seminars to increase competence in the delicatessen area or improved product knowledge are just as much a part of this as sales training or the development of management skills. SPAR also relies on e-learning for training and further education.
SPAR pays special attention to the training of qualified young people. In Austria, apprentices receive comprehensive training far beyond the normal level - even in our own so-called "SPAR Academy Classes". In Hungary, there are some apprenticeship professions that are trained by SPAR. In Italy, Slovenia and Croatia there is no classical apprenticeship training.
