SPAR International has officially entered the market in North Macedonia following the opening of its first INTERSPAR hypermarket and SPAR supermarket in the capital city, Skopje.
The expansion comes after SPAR International granted a license to operate the brand in North Macedonia to the Viva Fresh Group. The first stores opened on 14 May 2026 and mark the retailer’s official launch in the country.
The new INTERSPAR Skopje hypermarket includes a retail sales area of 4,677 square metres and stocks more than 16,000 grocery and non-grocery products. Around 400 SPAR Own Brand products are already available in-store as the retailer begins building its private label presence in the market.
Fresh food remains a major focus of the new hypermarket, with dedicated meat, fish, fruit, and vegetable departments. The store currently employs 70 workers.
The opening is part of a much larger retail expansion strategy.
Viva Fresh Group confirmed that 65 stores are expected to operate under the SPAR brand within the next 12 months following its earlier acquisition of the former Kit Go retail chain in 2022.
The company also referenced a €43 million investment programme tied to the phased rollout, including retail development and supply chain support infrastructure.
SPAR said the North Macedonia operation will combine international retail standards with local market adaptation, while also working with local suppliers and producers to support domestic sourcing and economic growth.
The launch adds further momentum to SPAR’s expansion strategy across Eastern and Southeast Europe, where international supermarket operators continue increasing investment in modern retail formats, private label ranges, and integrated distribution systems.
Why it matters
The SPAR North Macedonia launch is more significant than a standard supermarket opening because it represents a full national market entry backed by large-scale store conversion plans and supply chain investment.
The rapid rollout of 65 stores within one year could intensify competition across the North Macedonian grocery sector, particularly in hypermarket, supermarket, and private label categories.
The expansion also reflects broader growth across the European supermarket sector, where retailers continue using acquisitions and franchise partnerships to scale faster in developing grocery markets.
