Revamped luxury SuperSpar with its own Bootlegger coffee shop and Marcel’s frozen yoghurt section

A revamped SuperSPAR at Sunridge Village in Gqeberha has introduced a more premium shopping experience, with its own Bootlegger Coffee Company and Marcel’s Frozen Yoghurt sections.

The store, located at Sunridge Park Shopping Centre, has undergone a major refurbishment, including a modern interior and several upgraded food departments.

According to the contractor, Techni Construction, the project features polished concrete floors, an exposed steel roof structure, and sculpted ceiling features.

The design combines these elements with a warm, modern finish throughout the store.

The revamped supermarket also features a range of premium in-store partners, such as a Bootlegger coffee shop and a Marcel’s Frozen Yoghurt section.

Customers can also make use of the store’s deli, bakery, butchery and chilled sections, which were built as part of the refurbishment.

The Sunridge refurbishment comes as SPAR works to strengthen its retail network and improve the performance of its Southern African business.

The group operates through a network of independent retailers, supported by its wholesale and distribution operations.

Its wider strategy includes improving store competitiveness, expanding digital services and strengthening its relationships with independent retailers.

SPAR’s 2025 annual results presentation showed that its Southern African business had 2,523 stores, including 933 liquor stores, at the time. The group also reported six distribution centres in the region.

Its latest interim results show that SPAR acquired the assets of eight retail stores in South Africa during the 26 weeks ended 27 March 2026. The acquisitions were funded from available cash resources.

SPAR’s turnaround under pressure

SPAR has also been expanding its digital grocery offering. Its 2025 annual results showed that 636 stores were using its SPAR2U online shopping solution, up from 525 in 2024.

A further 300 stores were using Uber Eats, compared with none in the previous financial year.

The group’s September 2026 operational update said it was working on a refreshed SPAR2U proposition, developed with a retailer advisory group. A pilot rollout was planned for December 2026.

Other growth initiatives include repositioning its private-label products, improving product ranges and strengthening promotional effectiveness.

The group is also reviewing pricing and category management to help retailers compete more effectively and improve their margins.

SPAR’s liquor business remains an important part of its retail footprint. In its 2026 financial year, the group operated 897 liquor stores, comprising 879 TOPS at SPAR outlets and 18 SaveMor Liquors.

This placed it behind Shoprite, which operated 926 liquor stores, but ahead of Pick n Pay and Boxer.

SPAR’s expansion and retail improvements are taking place while the group faces pressure in its Southern African operations.

In an update on 28 September 2026, the retailer warned that its 2026 financial performance was expected to be weaker than in 2025.

The pressure was concentrated in its Southern African grocery and liquor operations. SPAR said subdued wholesale volumes and difficult trading conditions had limited revenue growth.

The retailer expected credit losses, specific provisions and write-offs also remained elevated.

The group said its immediate priority was to improve profitability and cash generation in Southern Africa while continuing to support its independent retailers.

SPAR’s recovery plan includes improving merchandising and pricing, increasing marketing effectiveness, upgrading retailer technology and improving distribution efficiency.

It is also working with the SPAR Guild, which represents its independent retailers, to strengthen relationships and agree on shared operational priorities.

The group expects the financial benefits of these initiatives to build progressively through the 2027 financial year. Full implementation is expected to extend beyond that period.

SPAR’s latest update does not set out a specific national target for store refurbishments.

Instead, its current plans focus on improving the performance and competitiveness of its existing network, as well as selective store acquisitions and digital initiatives.

The group’s full 2026 financial results are expected to be released on or about 4 December 2026.

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Photos of the Sunridge Village SuperSPAR

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