Austrian retailer Spar’s Slovenian operation is to receive a €40m loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to support the chain’s development.
The focus is to be on modern supply chain management and resource efficiency and the retailer will receive technical help to improve energy efficiency.
Spar operates 88 stores in Slovenia, which made sales of €693m in 2012. The EBRD loan will finance part of the company’s planned investments until 2015 including the extension and refurbishment of a logistics centre and a bakery as well as further development of the SPAR Slovenija branch network.
“We are happy to support SPAR Slovenija in developing the sustainability of its retail operations with a focus on modern supply chain management and resource efficiency. The modernisation of the company’s operations will strengthen its results and benefit customers through further improved quality,” said EBRD senior banker responsible for agribusiness projects in south eastern Europe Miljan Zdrale.
SPAR Slovenija finance director, Jure Petkovšek, said that the EBRD financing will “play an important role in successful implementation of international best practice for sustainable energy solutions in retail buildings.”
