SPAR launches revamped SaveMor store to ease cost-of-living crisis in Limpopo

Amid soaring living costs and household budgets stretched to the limit, the SPAR Group has opened its first revamped SaveMor store in Limpopo, Polokwane, a bold step aimed at easing the burden on South African families and tackling the country’s escalating cost-of-living crisis.

SPAR’s SaveMor format aims to ease the financial strain on households by offering quality everyday essentials at affordable prices, while also driving economic growth in rural and township communities.

In line with the SPAR Rural Hub initiative, which helps small-scale farmers break into the formal food value chain, the SaveMor model also powers economic upliftment in rural communities, home to nearly half of SPAR’s business. Around 90% of SPAR’s private-label products are sourced locally, creating opportunities for small businesses and farmers while ensuring money continues to circulate within the regions SPAR serves.

Ed von Gericke, SPAR’s National Retail Operations Executive, said the company’s focus is on growing private-label sales across all stores, describing it as more than just a retail plan but a socio-economic commitment. 

“Going forward, we aim to increase private-label brand sales both in and outside SaveMor stores to serve our retailers and shoppers better. This is not just a retail strategy, it’s a socio-economic commitment,” he said.

Von Gericke added that the SaveMor brand is already experiencing growth across Southern Africa, with plans to expand significantly through more stand-alone stores in rural and township areas. 

“Affordability should never mean sacrificing quality. With SaveMor, we’re proving that value, quality, and local empowerment can and must go hand in hand,” he concluded.

The revamped store is owned and run by local entrepreneur Louis Holtzhausen, ensuring that the benefits of this investment remain within the community. Its opening has created new jobs, strengthened the local supply chain, and provided residents with greater access to affordable, quality products.

Holtzhausen shared his enthusiasm about the store’s positive influence, highlighting that it gives back to loyal supporters and is creating jobs for 60 people, driving meaningful change. He also operates several other SaveMor stores, which collectively provide jobs for around 400 people. Creating employment, he noted, has had a significant positive impact on people’s lives.

He thanked the community for their continued support of the SaveMor brand and emphasized that the new store tackles a major local challenge by offering affordable protein, with a strong focus on fresh produce. 

“One of the biggest challenges in our community is that people don’t have access to protein. The protein prices in this new store are amazing, and our main focus remains on fresh produce,” Holtzhausen said.

He added that freshness, particularly in rural areas, is central to their business model. 

“It’s easy to sell a can of baked beans, but it’s not easy to bring fresh produce and fresh meat to rural communities. We are working with local farmers to make that possible, and freshness will always be our priority,” he concluded.

The SaveMor launch had the community buzzing with excitement, with local residents eagerly lining up to take advantage of the store’s low-priced items. Tebogo Sithole, a local resident from Polokwane who works nearby, expressed her enthusiasm, noting that the store would bring real value for her money and make a tangible difference for the community.

“It’s amazing to finally have a place where we can buy fresh produce and affordable essentials without having to travel far. This store is going to make life a lot easier for families like mine,” she said.

The Star

masabata.mkwananzi@inl.co.za