Spar Australia has recently opened a new concept store in Deception Bay, Queensland; this is Australia’s first SPAR concept store - a milestone for  the company and the culmination of more than 18 months of planning eventually resulting in a future store design and product offering specific to the requirements of customers in this country.

Building on an existing relationships between Spar and the Zumtobel Group in Europe, Thorn Australia has been quick to establish a fruitful collaboration with the Spar team.  The collaboration took also reference to projects undertaken elsewhere around the world, demonstrating how Thorn can leverage its international experience combined with a commitment via PEC to deliver stimulating retail environments with high performing, energy efficient lighting solutions.

Based on the initial groundwork by Thorn Queensland and supported by the expertise of TLA Lighting Design team, a close and effective collaboration with the client’s project team was formed. This resulted in a solution utilising a range of products including Primata II, Graffiti M, Chalice 190, Royal, Piazza II, Square Lux Junior and Chameleon. The end result was described by Tobias Wasmuht – Managing Director SPAR China & International Marketing Director as an outstanding example of combining the ambient SPAR wanted to create, using Thorn’s global product portfolio, adapted to local Australian conditions and requirements.

About Spar

With more than 13,610 stores in 31 countries, SPAR (an acronym that means "Save" in Europe) is the largest, and one of the most progressive and innovative food retailers in the world. SPAR was founded in 1932 by Adriaan Van in Holland and slowly set off to establish itself across five continents.

In 1985 SPAR expanded into Australia and has since than over 75 stores have been established nationally. It is one of the fastest growing retail groups in Australia with store number growth rising from 25 stores in 2006 to 75 stores in 2008 with more supermarkets to forecast to open throughout 2009.