Aspiagcom COMPANY Austria SPAR International AG
Austria SPAR International AG
Austria SPAR International AG

Austria SPAR International AG

The success of ASPIAG (Austria SPAR International AG) is built on an innovative and dynamic corporate culture. Since 1990, SPAR country organizations in Northern Italy, Slovenia, Hungary, and Croatia have been strategically established and continuously expanded. Today, the number of stores in Austria’s neighboring countries has grown to over 1,500 locations.

The ASPIAG Countries

 

 

 

The ASPIAG as know-how turntable

The long-standing and successful presence of the independent national SPAR organizations ensures a high level of expertise and a strong focus on meeting the diverse needs of customers. Intensive cooperation and information exchange between the individual SPAR countries, ASPIAG, and SPAR Austria form the foundation for their joint path toward becoming a sustainably successful Central European retail group.

Cross-border collaboration enhances the impact of the successful SPAR, EUROSPAR, and INTERSPAR formats. A unified organizational and project structure harnesses synergies and strengthens their competitive position.

Image converted using ifftoany
Image converted using ifftoany

The History of ASPIAG

Since its founding in the 1950s, the SPAR retail chain has established a strong market position in Austria. Even in its early days, SPAR set new benchmarks—becoming the first retail company to introduce innovative marketing concepts, pioneering product range diversity, and investing in modern logistics. From the very beginning, SPAR successfully developed the market through a combination of independent retailers and an efficient branch network.

By the 1990s, SPAR Austria had grown into one of the country’s leading companies, operating six regional wholesale centers, a central warehouse, and successful production facilities. Today, nearly 1,550 SPAR, EUROSPAR, and INTERSPAR locations ensure reliable local supply. With over 50,000 employees, SPAR is set to become Austria’s largest private employer in 2024—and, with more than 2,500 apprentices, also the country’s largest private trainer of apprentices. Additionally, the company has steadily expanded its activities in the shopping center sector.

Image converted using ifftoany
Image converted using ifftoany

 

"ASPIAG is committed to supporting the national economies in which it operates and aims to make meaningful contributions to their development through its activities."

 

KR Hans Drexel († 20.11.2013)
founded 1990 the ASPIAG

By the early 1990s, SPAR had firmly established itself in the Austrian market. A forward-looking strategic decision at that time marked the beginning of expansion into neighboring countries. ASPIAG, headquartered in Widnau (Switzerland), was founded as the international subsidiary of SPAR Austria with the mission of continuing the Austrian success story abroad.

 

Thanks to expertise and a proactive approach, the ASPIAG team has remained on a dynamic path of expansion. By the end of 2024, more than 1,250 SPAR and INTERSPAR locations have been established across the independent national organizations in Northern Italy, Slovenia, Hungary, and Croatia. Until 2014, SPAR was also represented in the Czech Republic.

The core tasks of ASPIAG

Interspar Imola
Interspar Imola

ASPIAG serves as the management and holding company for the SPAR national organizations in Northern Italy, Slovenia, Hungary, and Croatia. Today, SPAR is recognized as a leading international retail brand in all of these countries—thanks in large part to the sustainable foundations established by the ASPIAG team.

In many cases, SPAR, EUROSPAR, and INTERSPAR act as pioneers and innovation drivers for their customers. Alongside the successful introduction of formats like SPAR City, SPAR 2000, and SPAR to Go, continuous development efforts are underway to ensure each location remains as attractive and relevant as possible to local consumers.

The keys to success lie in innovative store formats and clear differentiation from competitors. The ASPIAG team facilitates comprehensive cross-border knowledge transfer and supports the national management teams with strategic guidance and operational expertise.

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:

Conceptual 3D render image with depth of field blur effect. Compass needle pointing the green word strategy over natural paper background.
Conceptual 3D render image with depth of field blur effect. Compass needle pointing the green word strategy over natural paper background.

  1. Organization
    Establishment of independent country organisations with strong local management.

  2. Market penetration
    Continuous expansion of market shares through expansion and multiplication of successful operating types.

  3. Strategic alliances
    Entering into strategic alliances to achieve the best possible market penetration.

  4. Synergy
    Use of all synergies within the entire SPAR Austria Group and implementation of efficient organisational structures.

  5. Customers
    Country-specific, consistent orientation towards regional customers.

  6. Suppliers
    Long-term partnerships with regional, national and international suppliers for mutual benefit.

  7. Employees
    Offensive, employee-oriented corporate management, in which value is placed on continuous training and individual performance.

  8. Innovation
    High willingness to innovate in all areas.

  9. Assortment
    High assortment competence for the full exploitation of market potential.

  10. Responsibility
    Awareness of social responsibility in economic, ecological and social matters. 
Corporate Executives

The long-standing, experienced ASPIAG team—led by Mag. Robert Spiegel, Delegate of the Board of Directors—has been supporting the national organizations for over 30 years in its role as a holding and management company. The focus lies in knowledge transfer and strategic development across all market-related activities.

Mag. Robert Spiegel
Mag. Robert Spiegel
Mag. Robert Spiegel
Delegate of the Board of Directors

Sales Development in the ASPIAG Countries

 

Accumulated sales figures of the ASPIAG countries Northern Italy, Slovenia, Hungary and Croatia.

Spart Mitarbeiter
Spart Mitarbeiter

Employees of the ASPIAG countries

As of 31 December 2024, SPAR employs more than 42,000 people across Northern Italy, Slovenia, Hungary, and Croatia. These highly trained and motivated employees are the foundation of SPAR’s success—their expertise and strong customer focus play a key role in the company’s positive development.

Rapid expansion in recent years has led to the creation of thousands of modern, attractive jobs, making SPAR a significant economic driver in the region.

Ongoing training & innovative apprentice training

Particular emphasis is placed on continuous training and development. Ongoing courses focus on enhancing employees' customer and sales orientation. These include seminars to improve skills in areas such as delicatessen expertise, product knowledge, sales techniques, and management development. SPAR also leverages e-learning to support training and ongoing education.

SPAR places special focus on training qualified young people. In Austria, apprentices receive extensive training that goes well beyond the standard, including participation in our exclusive 'SPAR Academy Classes.' In Hungary, SPAR offers training in several apprenticeship professions. However, in Italy, Slovenia, and Croatia, traditional apprenticeship programs are not available.