Spar International

The restructuring of the SPAR business in Japan is complete and SPAR is now operated by one partner in Hokkaido. The lack of growth in the economy and the continuing downward pressure on prices, has resulted in little prospect for significant change in either store numbers or retail sales.

SPAR entered Japan in 1977 and through All Japan SPAR Central built up a network of 12 regional SPAR Partners. They operated a network of SPAR stores in the neighbourhood supermarket and convenience store sectors.

A prolonged period of recession in Japan in the 1990's resulted in a collapse of consumer confidence and a reduction in consumer expenditure. This impacted particularly severely on the convenience store market. A number of SPAR partners were unable to continue and sold their businesses to competitors.

Since 2009 SPAR focused its activities on the island of Hokkaido working with HOKKAIDO  SPAR Co. Ltd. This company, based in Sapporo, was a founder member of All Japan SPAR and has been active in SPAR since 1977.

Japanese food retailing remains very fragmented with traditional retailers  dominating the market. However, over the last decade a number of major national chains have emerged both in the supermarket and convenience sectors.

A number of international food retailers have also entered the market. This has resulted in further consolidation in the industry.

The prolonged economic crisis has again resulted in a collapse of consumer confidence in Japan. The economy has returned to a recession and once again consumer expenditure has weakened. This has resulted in a further round of consolidation in food retailing.

SPAR Japan operate largely in the convenience sector with consumers being offered an extensive range of ready-made meals, a good fresh assortment and a pleasant shopping environment.