When I was a little girl (oh, so many years ago) we lived near a Spar. Although we never did our whole weekly shop there (after all that’s what lovely Tesco and Safeway were for) we would stop by occasionally to see what the had to offer. Sometimes we’d go for wet walks there on ... Read review
Advantages: Location Disadvantages: Price and selection.
...the road we have a Spar outlet that realises we aren’t all tucked up in bed in time for the early evening news, and that some of us do, occasionally, get up at weekends. At the start of term we went to this shop a lot, for “neccessities” – you know, chocolate, magazines, a bit more chocolate. However last year 2 things changed. Firstly, Tesco on Market Street went 24 hours so we could stop there on our way back from wherever, ... ...so would watch every penny. Spar was, frankly, taking too many of them for our liking. Although they’re handily located and students are lazy, that doesn’t mean that they should exploit the fact. After all, if their prices were lower then we’d buy more from them, their profits would soar and we’d all live happily ever after.
The merchandise in Spars is often unusual to say the least. The brands they offer are ... more
When I was a little girl (oh, so many years ago) we lived near a Spar. Although we never did our whole weekly shop there (after all that’s what lovely Tesco and Safeway were for) we would stop by occasionally to see what the had to offer. Sometimes we’d go for wet walks there on Sundays afternoons and come back with a bar of chocolate as a special treat (oh, to be back in the days when chocolate was not an integral part of all my meals every day). I remember once getting a Sweet Valley Magazine from there (how cool was I ?!? Actually, don’t answer that....) and since I never saw it anywhere else, whenever we were passing I’d beg and plead until the car was stopped and I could pop in and see if they had the next issue. They never did, and I never got over it, but that’s a different story.
Anyway, I never had that much to do with Spars until leaving home and embarking on my new life at university. I lived on campus at UMIST and although we have a union shop, it has dodgy hours – open only till 6pm and not at all at weekends. Luckily (?) just across the road we have a Spar outlet that realises we aren’t all tucked up in bed in time for the early evening news, and that some of us do, occasionally, get up at weekends. At the start of term we went to this shop a lot, for “neccessities” – you know, chocolate, magazines, a bit more chocolate. However last year 2 things changed. Firstly, Tesco on Market Street went 24 hours so we could stop there on our way back from wherever, and secondly, we began to realise we had very little money left and so would watch every penny. Spar was, frankly, taking too many of them for our liking. Although they’re handily located and students are lazy, that doesn’t mean that they should exploit the fact. After all, if their prices were lower then we’d buy more from them, their profits would soar and we’d all live happily ever after.
The merchandise in Spars is often unusual to say the least. The brands they offer are not always well known (no Wharburtons, for example, only Robertsons bread near us) but the prices are still significantly higher than you would expect. The stock is usually limited due to the available space, although, to be fair, some of the individual branches have worked out the demand rather well and stock up appropriately – our local branch is tiny but still manages to offer a range of alcoholic beverages that could rival Victoria Wine or Cellar 5, and enough Ben and Jerry’s to keep everyone happy.... The Piccadilly branch is open 24 hours and often has tempting hot snacks of the sausage roll/ pizza slice variety on offer which is just what I’d go for when walking past on my way home from work if I ate normal food (which as you should, by now know, I don’t).
Many Spars I’ve seen are trying (often unsuccessfully) to take on the little country corner shop approach. They might rent videos for example, or offer film processing and photocopying. Problem is though, just like little shops in the middle of no where, they think they can charge extortionate rates because there’s no competition for miles around. Really? Maybe they haven’t seen the office supply shop across the street, or the photo developing place next door. I don't know if Spar pay their staff the lowest of the low or not, but their employees often seem to act as if this is the case - usually sulky, almost always unhelpful, they generaly manage to act as if you've interruped them if you try to buy something.
I have visited Spars in a number of countries, and find the continental approach is quite different. These branches (especially the French and Austrian ones, and to some extend the German ones) are more hypermarket than supermarket. Over the years I’ve bought leggings (that was a long time ago), ink erasers, interesting and unusual Christmas presents and more from European branches. They even have restaurants here which offer ok food nice and cheaply – especially at the huge branch in Shopping City Süd in Vienna, but I don’t suppose anyone reading really cares, do you?
Time to sum up with a wonderful saying, Hhmmm. Can’t think of one. How about “Spars are not a student’s best friend” or “handy does not by definition equal cheap” ? Actually I like my acronym best : Silly Products, Abominable Rates. They’ll have to do for now. Off to the hypermarket style Spar across the city to pick up the photos I left for developing this evening. Unlike in the UK they offer bargain rates here..........
Advantages: Varied assortment of items on sale. Disadvantages: A touch more expensive than the big supermarkets.
...towns we have a local Spar shop here. It is actually in the high street but our town is small and believe it or not it is the only shop of its kind in the town centre! It's nearest competitor is the Rainbow Supermarket which is further away in it's own surroundings on the edge of town.
I have shopped in Spar shops elsewhere but our shop seems to be different to the ones i've been in before. It seems to be the case that the stores are all different ... ...and introduce you to the Spar Convenience Store, Halesworth, Suffolk. The Spar shop is situated in the centre of the main street, and as such in a prime position to attract custom. The size of the building from the front is misleading as the narrow frontispiece is offset by a far reaching length to the back. The layout is fairly easy to assimilate, at the front as you go in is the section containing all the tinned meats, fish, soups and the tinned ...
paisleyman 13.06.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Spar Supermarkets
Advantages: Convenient Disadvantages: Generally More Expensive Than The Larger Supermarkets
...In terms of weekly transactions Spar Supermarkets are actually the second most successful Supermarket in the UK but they do not usually qualify for such lists because the majority of their Stores are operated on a franchise basis.
THE BACKGROUND
The origins of the Spar Supermarket date back to Holland where the first Stores opened in 1932. Originally these Stores were called Despar, which is an abbreviation of a Dutch phrase which translates into ... ...and Germany, and by 1953 Spar Supermarkets became truly international with the opening of the International Spar Office in Amsterdam whose sole function was to promote and control the worldwide spread of the Spar foundation.
Spar arrived in the UK in 1957 and six different regional divisions were quickly set up, each with its own central distribution centre supplying each individual store within its area. These six regional divisions which still ...
micksheff 27.02.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Spar Supermarkets
Advantages: Plentiful, handy, well stocked Disadvantages: Scruffy, pricey, less than charming.
...the positive side, though, the spar network is far reaching, so you're probably never going to be more than a few minutes from a branch. There are some quite good special offers, though, so keep your eyes open for bargains. You have to be lucky though, as the BOGOFS tend to be things they don't want, and, if you're anyhting like me, you'll be swayed and end up with something stupid, like 16 lion bars, or you'll buy some cat litter before realising ... ...that, wonder why?
Where spar scores is in it's beer department. There are always special offers on the booze, for example eight cans of Foster's for £5 or BOGOF on four packs. Like moths to a flame, though, the cheap woodpecker brings in a less than charming clientelle, and you often end up surrounded by heavily tattooed people. Not that there's anything wrong with them, God love 'em, I just don't think my Granny'd approve. Interesting fact, our ...
Case 14.05.2003
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Spar Supermarkets
Advantages: Locality Disadvantages: Credit card swipes will soon be needed on entry, no doubt
...relax, and there is a Spar around the corner so I shop there. I'm not lazy, but I like to watch Football Focus, F1, Soccer Saturday, and live football on Sky - therefore, I use the Spar for its convenience.
Did you know Spar works like a franchise, and is normally owned by a sole trader? That would explain the prices - they'd rob the eyes out of your head if you weren't looking! I have just paid 99p for a scotch egg. I could make one for less. I ... ...eggs - to which I am addicted - are essential. They are half the price at Morrisons. I bought Brunchetta's, which are devine, at £1.29 - less than 70p at Morrison's. A packet of cigarettes is 20p more expensive than major supermarkets. My 'Match of the Day 2' feast will be a dear do tonight.
They have odd products. I wanted to cook a meal for my godson and his fiancee on Thursday night. They had limited vegetables, 2 packs of mince and some bacon. ...
kevindye 24.08.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Spar Supermarkets
Advantages: Local shop, long hours, good prices on alcohol Disadvantages: narrow range, small, often crowded shops
...some fairly damning reviews of Spar corner shops, I would like to try and redress the balance. I think that most people would agree that it is not a good idea to do your main grocery shop in these stores. But what happens when you have forgotten to buy cat food on a Sunday night, or you have drunk your last tin of beer and your mates come round. I've got a feeling I rely on our local Spar shop more than you might think...
Before I had children I ... ...Whenever I visit my local Spar shop, there seems to be a steady trickle of customers. Many of them are pensioners, and many do not have their own transport. For those who do not have access to a car like I do, I think it does represent the best value available within walking distance.
For me, personally, the Spar shop is a handy place to go when I have forgotten something. It provides the basics, is easily accessible, and serves the needs of many ...
wilfredcat 24.01.2003
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Spar Supermarkets
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I dont know if costcutter is just a northern thing, ive never seen any down south on my travels.
Well basically they are a cross between you supermarket and local spar shop, They have a good but limited range of nearly everything you could want from a local grocers.
Recently costcutter have been on a good marketing campaign and offer very competitive prices instore.
Costcutter even have there own radio station with cheesy music and advertising a good idea really to point out current offers to customers.
But beware we brought some 2 year old pate from an undiclosed branch not very nice but was quickly exchanged and refunded with utmost sympothy, great customer service was displayed and i conclude this is the friendly small supermarket. ...
Advantages: Pleasant staff, good quality products, lots of choice, nice ambience Disadvantages: A bit pricey
***** The choice *****
I?ve just returned from a shopping trip to Sainsbury?s. I don?t have to shop there: Lincoln is well endowed with supermarkets. Within a maximum of fifteen minutes drive I also have access to Asda, Morrison?s, Safeway, two Tescos, two Lidls and two Kwik-Saves; not to mention several Co-op supermarkets, Spar shops and freezer centres. But still I return to Sainsbury?s.
It?s not that I believe that they are more benign than all the others; corporate organisations exist for one purpose only and that is to separate me from my money as completely as possible (or am I being cynical? Well, yes I am; but it?s still true). And it?s not just that, living only half a mile from the store until last year, I got used to it: I used to teach within five minutes? walk of Asda and probably used it more than Sainsbury ...
Advantages: the dividend card, occassional bargains. Disadvantages: Expensive, Cramped
present was a set of plastic beads and thread so I could make my own jewellery! I was well chuffed!
That was then now the big shop is still there but it is no longer the Co-Op. However I still visit a Co-Op. It is my local shop and when I say local I mean local. It's situated at the end of my road less than a two-minute walk away. Being that close I use it all the time for those every day bits and bob's, because you always forget something in your big shop don't you? And I find it to be pretty good overall
As with any local shop it is a bit pricey. I must say it does compare favourable to other local shops I know like Spar or Heald's day and night, but it is much more expensive than most of the supermarkets I use for my weekly shop. However they do have lots of offers going on all the time and you can get some good "close to sell by ...
VickyVickster 07.09.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Co-op (Shop)
