Spar opens new luxury grocery store in South Africa
SPAR has opened its first-ever luxury grocery store in South Africa, called SPAR Gourmet, at the Zimbali Oasis in KwaZulu-Natal.
This move marks a major step for the retailer as it enters the premium market, offering shoppers a more sophisticated and high-quality grocery experience.
The milestone is the result of a long-standing partnership between Spar and independent retailer Mark Anderson, who brings more than 40 years of experience to the project.
Spar’s model has always relied on independent owners who operate under the brand while using their own entrepreneurial insight and understanding of local communities.
Spar noted that the new Zimbali store demonstrates how this partnership-driven structure can elevate innovation when national support and local expertise work together.
Located in one of KZN’s most exclusive leisure destinations, Spar Gourmet was designed as a modern, high-end food destination rather than a traditional supermarket.
It features artisanal breads and pastries, ready-made gourmet meals, a premium butchery with specialised cuts, and a wine section.
The store’s design and product selection are intended to create a more curated and convenient shopping experience for affluent customers.
A premium butchery offering specialised cuts and an elegant wine emporium add to the sense of curated indulgence.
Every element reflects a deliberate effort to redefine convenience and quality for shoppers seeking a premium grocery experience.
Mpudi Maubane, SPAR’s National PR, Communications & Sponsorships Manager, described the opening as an important moment for the brand.
“Today marked a defining moment for SPAR. The launch of SPAR Gourmet showed just how powerful it can be when our retailers’ passion and entrepreneurial spirit come together with the support and innovation of the SPAR brand.
Zimbali Oasis was the perfect place to bring this vision to life, and alongside our retailer, we’ve created a store that genuinely lifts the shopping experience for our consumer.”
More to come
Maubane added that the launch is not just about luxury. It also shows how SPAR can grow its premium offering while staying true to its independent retailer model.
The first customers through the doors were greeted with exclusive tastings, interactive demonstrations and curated displays intended to showcase the store’s focus on quality and experiential shopping.
According to Maubane, SPAR Gourmet is envisioned as a food destination where customers can explore distinctive products, sample handcrafted flavours and engage with food in new ways.
The launch, he said, highlights what can be achieved when local ownership aligns with SPAR’s broader mission of uplifting communities through quality retail.
The opening of Spar Gourmet also fulfils promises made by The Spar Group late last year, when it announced plans to enter the premium grocery market.
At the time, the company said it intended to launch its first high-end store in the second quarter of 2025 as part of a strategy to attract more affluent shoppers.
Spar is now aiming to open as many as four of these premium-format stores next year, entering a competitive segment dominated by Checkers, Pick n Pay and Woolworths.
“The launch will initially be one store, although we have three or four planned for the year,” CEO Angelo Swartz said in an interview last year.
With SPAR Gourmet now open, the group has taken its first major step into a more premium-focused future.
The retailer hopes the Zimbali store will set the tone for what premium grocery shopping can look like in South Africa.
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