Europe: Spar Direct launches pan-continental home deliveries International Spar is aiming to roll out a home delivery service across Europe. Spar Direct is currently available in Stockholm, but groups in Finland, France, Germany and Japan are interested in the service. Customers in Stockholm can order a range of products over the internet ­ with guaranteed next day delivery. And International Spar md Dr Gordon Campbell says this is a market worth exploiting. Addressing 250 delegates at International Spar's Congress in Cape Town, Campbell outlined the group's key objectives for the future. As well as developing Spar Direct, these include expanding the EuroSpar format to all Spar countries by 2005; increasing International Spar brands from 100 to 350 lines; and increasing sales per square metre by 25%. He said: "As we enter the new millennium we must not only consolidate our business in Western Europe and open up new markets in Eastern Europe, but we must also place a strong emphasis on opening up the growth markets in Asia, South America and Africa. "Our strategy is now in place. We have a clear future mission and objectives. We have identified the key areas which will drive our future growth and have finalised the action plans by which our objectives will be achieved. The challenge is now to implement our plans." Last year, Spar expanded into Russia, Latvia and Mauritius and plans are already in place to develop the brand in Australia. The group has already negotiated a licence agreement with Woolworth's in Australia and intends to develop the business through Woolworth's wholesale division. At the end of last year, Spar had 17,600 stores in five continents, with worldwide sales of 26bn euro - approximately £16bn. {{NEWS }}

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